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Dave Holland
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland's mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. "Sam said, ‘Don't leave anything out?"play all of it,' " Holland once told a radio interviewer. "That's become almost a mantra for me over the years," he says, "as I've tried to find a way to build a vehicle which lets me utilize the full spectrum which includes the tradition, playing the blues and improvising freely. I love all that music, and there's been a desire to reconcile all those areas, to make them relevant, hopefully, in a contemporary context, as one music."
Holland is not the only accomplished bassist in music, an instrument rich in authoritative figures like Charles Mingus and Scott LaFaro. But he's the only Dave Holland, and the vivid personal imprint he brings to the music performs stamps it with a sound that transcends any arbitrary descriptions of genre or format. He is a seminal figure in post-1960s jazz, but has never allowed his work to be limited by tradition.
This path has led him from the frontiers of free improvisation to his modern ensembles that fully embody Rivers' philosophy of "playing all of it."
Born in 1946, the Wolverhampton, England, native was a steady figure on the London jazz scene when Miles Davis saw him at the fabled Soho jazz club Ronnie Scott's in1968, playing in a combo that opened for the Bill Evans Trio. "Miles heard something in his sound and his ideas," recalled Jack DeJohnette, who was Evans's drummer on the date. A month later, Holland was on the bandstand with Davis at Count Basie's Harlem nightclub. He then joined the rhythm section on Filles de Kilimanjaro, and the revolutionary In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew sessions. It was a heady two years, but Holland was quickly developing his own ideas about music.
He recalls that one of his earliest and hardest lessons was how to make his own space in Davis' music, which at the time was electronically evolving. "When I first joined Miles' band, he didn't say much to me. I now know that to be one of his great gifts to artists: to encourage us to not play like the guys who came before us, but to explore our own creative solutions. At the time I remember reading a quote from the Sufi tradition that said, 'Plant your banner firmly in the desert sand.' That resonated with me. I knew I had to figure out what I could bring to the table to represent how I heard and felt the music."
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The Dave Holland New Quartet at Smoke Jazz Club
by Paul Reynolds
The Dave Holland New Quartet Smoke Jazz & Supper Club New York, NYSeptember 6, 2024 The Friday late set at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club by the Dave Holland New Quartet began and ended with selections that strutted the bassist's strongest compositional suit--originals with a twirling head (as in a melodic theme) interspersed with solos that dance between harmonic calm and out" exploration. If the middle of the set was less compelling--with its shift into ...
Continue ReadingJohn Abercrombie, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette: Gateway
by Mike Jurkovic
Maybe in a world a-tuned to the sound of people seeking their own expressive modal dialogue to negotiate, barter, pray or prevent the king's rise, Gateway would have been the greatest jazz guitar trio album ever made. It certainly feels that way when one slips this handsome disc from its wrappings, handle gently to the turntable, and set the stylus down. It is like 1975 again (the good parts anyway): the head high, the mood mellow. Maybe one ...
Continue ReadingJAZZINEC Festival 2024
by Luciano Rossetti
A collection of photos from the Jazzinec Festival in Trutnov on April 20, 2024 featuring Dave Holland Trio, Lukáš Oravec Orchestra and The Jazz World Photo Ceremony. Thanks to Milos Salek for the ceremony photo. ...
Continue ReadingTorino Jazz Festival 2024, Part 1
by Antonio Baiano
Part 1 | Part 2 A collection of photos from the Torino Jazz Festival, 12th edition in Torino, Italy from April 20, 2024 to April 30 2024 featuring Dave Holland, Christian McBride, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ernesto Simpson, Jaleel Shaw, Eric Harland, Roscoe Mitchell, Steve Lehman, Michele Rabbia, John Zorn, Laura Klain, Ares Tavolazzi, Sakina Abdou, Julian Lage, Kenny Wollesen, Jorge Roeder, Eric Mingus and Silvia Bolognesi. ...
Continue ReadingThe Electric Years Box Set
by Mike Jurkovic
In a year that has brought us a true bounty of previously unheard majesty including Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy (Impulse!), and Bill Evans; Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestra Recordings from Denmark (1965-1969), (Elemental Music) it is only fitting that Miles Davis get his due. And in a very, very big way. Seared into modern memory, modern art, the music presented on the gloriously massive, eleven LP set Miles Davis: The Electric Years ...
Continue ReadingA.R.C.: A.R.C.
by Mike Jurkovic
Without the exploding theorems of multi-reedist/composer/alchemist Anthony Braxton, A.R.C., the multifarious rhythm trio of Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul, continue the grand work of the short-lived (but most esteemed) quartet Circle on this 1971 reissue and remaster of the exploratory and free flying A.R.C. Corea, who, after a short solo turn would soon break the realm with Return To Forever is especially feisty here, as too is Holland, who would a year hence record Conference of ...
Continue ReadingJack DeJohnette: Sorcery
by Rob Garratt
Which Jack DeJohnette is best known? The subtle sticksmith at the heart of Keith Jarrett's Standards Trio, perhaps? Probably the heavyweight hitter driving electric-era Miles Davis' '70s sonic brew. Maybe the percussive upstart propelling Charles Lloyd to crossover flower-power fame? Or even the fearless bandleader behind the ever-thrilling Special Edition band ... At age 81, DeJohnette can (still) fairly claim to be the most in-demand jazz drummer on the planet. But even the most studious acolyte ...
Continue ReadingJazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today!
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland's mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don't leave anything out?"play all of it,' Holland once told a ...
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New England Conservatory’s Pioneering Jazz Studies Department Announces 2022-2023 Season
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
New England Conservatory’s internationally renowned Jazz Studies Department announces its 2022-2023 season with an array of concerts featuring NEC students performing with faculty and guest artists. Highlights include NEC’s visiting artist-in-residence, bassist/composer and NEA Jazz Master Dave Holland in a concert with students; a residency concert by vocalist Michael Mayo featuring live vocal looping; and other residencies to be announced. The NEC Jazz Orchestra will present four concerts: one with guest clarinetist Don Byron, one focusing on music for voice, ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today!
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland's mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don't leave anything out?"play all of it,' Holland once told a ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today!
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland's mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don't leave anything out?"play all of it,' Holland once told a ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today!
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland\'s mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don\'t leave anything out?"play all of it,\' Holland once told a ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today!
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland\'s mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don\'t leave anything out?"play all of it,\' Holland once told a ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today!
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland\'s mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don\'t leave anything out?"play all of it,\' Holland once told a ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today!
Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland\'s mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don\'t leave anything out?"play all of it,\' Holland once told a ...
read more
NEC Faculty Member Dave Holland Receives 2017 NEA Jazz Masters Award
Source:
Braithwaite & Katz Communications
Renowned Jazz Bassist Dave Holland Earns Nation’s Highest Honor in Jazz: 2017 NEA Jazz Masters Award Holland is an NEC Visiting Artist-in-Residence NEC visiting artist-in-residence, renowned jazz bassist/composer and bandleader Dave Holland has earned the nation’s highest honor in jazz: a 2017 NEA Jazz Masters Award. Holland is one of five individuals recognized for their lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz. Each will receive a $25,000 award and be honored at a tribute concert on Monday, ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Dave Holland
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Dave Holland's birthday today! Amid endless choices, the sound of a Dave Holland bass line compels attention. A master of tone and rhythm, the bassist, composer, and bandleader is now in his fifth decade as a performer and his music possesses a rich and kaleidoscopic history. One of Holland\'s mentors, the affably sage-like saxophonist Sam Rivers, gave him a tip once. Sam said, ‘Don\'t leave anything out?"play all of it,\' Holland once told a ...
read more
Primary Instrument
Bass
Location
New York City
Matt Kendrick
bass, acousticJake Hanlon
guitarJoris Teepe
bass, acousticDuncan Hopkins
bass, acousticBruno Raberg
bass, acousticCraig Akin
bassAlan Lewine
bassMassimo Biolcati
bassRubim de Toledo
bassAaron Germain
bassDaphna Sadeh
bass, acousticOlivier Le Goas
drumsDylan Taylor
bassHans Sturm
bass, acousticJodi Michelle Proznick
bass, acousticMike Bullock
bassPaul Unger
bass, acousticPatrick Bleakley
bassAndrew Vogt
bass, acousticAdam Armstrong
bass, acousticCarl Clements
saxophoneGüç Başar Gülle
guitarBen Hedquist
bass, acousticAnıl Bilgen
pianoTheo Girard
bassJakob Dreyer
bassMarcos Milagres
bass, acousticJesse Dietschi
bass, acousticKathrine Windfeld
pianoLars Tormod Jenset
bassDave Welsch
bassPere Bujosa
bass, acousticIgor Kogan
bassRoberto Spadoni
composer / conductorAgustin Uriburu
celloMarley Edwards
bassChris Mondak
bassLinda Jozefowski
fluteMark R DeJong
saxophoneJonathan Ruiz
bassJonathan Andersen
bass, acousticMatteo Mosolo
bass, acousticSpencer Zweifel
pianoVladimir Samardzic
bass, electricJaehyun Cho
bass, acousticMarco Bianchi "Vibes"
vibraphoneJodi Proznick
bass, acousticDom Pusey
saxophone, tenorChristopher Parnis
bassPhotos
Music
Pass It On
From: Pass It OnBy Dave Holland