He studied cello and bass at the Ferrara Music Academy. In 1969 he started to work as sessionman in various music studios in Milan and recorded pop music with artists such as Paolo Conte, Francesco Guccini, Mina, Eugenio Finardi, Lucio Battisti and more. Between 1973 and 1983 he was a member of the historical avantgarde group "AREA" together with Demetrio Stratos and Giulio Capiozzo. In 1982 he took part to the Italian tour of the Gil Evans orchestra. For three subsequent years, (1984-86-86) he he was voted best Italian bassist on a special list published on the the "Guitar Club" magazine. In 1987 he won the "A. Willeart " prize as best musician of the year .Recently Ares Tavolazzi has performed with international jazz musicians such as Pat Metheny, Howard Johnson, Gary Bartz, Sam Rivers, Larry Nocella, Giorgio Gaslini, and Guido Manusardi.