Dave Holland
In any format, Mr. Holland is an exceptionally melodic player; he gives a rhythm section a spring-loaded thrust without sacrificing a full tone, and he supplies full-fledged counterpoint in a way that doesn't upstage a solo. And while Mr. Holland has a handful of peers as an improviser, few of them show his ambitions, and ability, as a composer.
The New York Times (1984)
English double bassist Dave Holland (born in Wolverhampton, UK in 1946) has been at the helm of some of the most influential jazz groups of the past half century, with important contributions ranging from Miles Davis’s electric Bitches Brew sessions to free jazz collaborations with the likes of Chick Corea and Anthony Braxton as well as countless leader dates, most of them recorded for ECM. At one point, The Guardian dubbed him “King of the bass”.
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In any format, Mr. Holland is an exceptionally melodic player; he gives a rhythm section a spring-loaded thrust without sacrificing a full tone, and he supplies full-fledged counterpoint in a way that doesn't upstage a solo. And while Mr. Holland has a handful of peers as an improviser, few of them show his ambitions, and ability, as a composer.
The New York Times (1984)
English double bassist Dave Holland (born in Wolverhampton, UK in 1946) has been at the helm of some of the most influential jazz groups of the past half century, with important contributions ranging from Miles Davis’s electric Bitches Brew sessions to free jazz collaborations with the likes of Chick Corea and Anthony Braxton as well as countless leader dates, most of them recorded for ECM. At one point, The Guardian dubbed him “King of the bass”.
One of the first musicians to record for ECM, Dave Holland’s initial appearance with the label is heard on A.R.C. (ECM 1009), the free-creative trio collaboration with Chick Corea and drummer Barry Altschul from 1971. It was followed by duo conversations with his influential double bass counterpart Barre Phillips, captured on Music From Two Basses (1011) plus the duo recording Improvisations for Cello and Guitar with the avant-gardist Derek Bailey, both also from 1971. The same year saw the recording of the live album Circle – the uncompromising free jazz summit of Holland with Chick Corea, Barry Altschul and Anthony Braxton.
Over the next decades Holland would frequently play alongside Kenny Wheeler, co-found the Gateway trio with John Abercrombie and Jack DeJohnette, release his first leader-debut Conference of the Birds, the bass solo recording Emerald Tears and record many albums with his quintet and more. Other important collaborators throughout the years include Charles Lloyd, Anouar Brahem, Tomasz Stanko, Sam Rivers and more.
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