As a bandleader, Ari fronts the Icelandic group ANNES, whose album Frost was awarded Best Album of the Year at the Icelandic Music Awards. He is also a founding member of the international quartet MELISMETIQ, alongside Shai Maestro, Arthur Hnatek, and Rick Rosato, with whom he has released two highly regarded albums that showcase a forward-thinking, genre-blurring approach to modern jazz.

Known for his distinctive sound and versatility across jazz, big band, and contemporary genres, Ari is a full-time member of the DR Big Band, a longtime touring member of Mezzoforte, and an award-winning bandleader and recording artist with multiple new releases coming in 2026.