Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Dave Holland Sextet: Pass It On

469

Dave Holland Sextet: Pass It On

By

Sign in to view read count
Dave Holland Sextet: Pass It On


It may not be correct to state the music of Dave Holland has matured. With the bassist's latest outing, he takes time away from the Dave Holland Big Band to record his current working sextet that plays music much like a very small big band.



This new lineup replaces vibraphonist Steve Nelson with pianist Mulgrew Miller, and adds trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, from Holland's Big Band. From his now infamous Quintet Holland retains trombonist/composer Robin Eubanks and swaps drummer Eric Harland for Nate Smith and Antonio Hart— who has often been heard playing in live editions of the Quintet—for Chris Potter.



Perhaps it's Miller that gives this session its more orchestrated feeling. Holland, who has grown by leaps and bounds with his arrangements for big band, guides this very tight band through its paces on nine pieces that include six he recorded with his other groups from as long ago as 1984. On "Double Vision," last heard on Seeds Of Time (ECM 1985), Holland pulls together what was originally a sparse composition that he previously left open for altoist Steve Coleman, trombonist Julian Priester, and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler to improvise and solo on, into a tightly arranged burner. He effectively fills in the empty spaces with players, but still allows for some giant solos. Eubanks takes a monster solo here, pushing the temperature of the composition way past the boiling point.



The band plays with a effortless elegance on "Equality," a perfect vehicle for Hart. The piece has mellowed a bit from Dream Of The Elders (ECM, 1996), but Hart's saxophone burns with a quiet subtle intensity, as Holland dresses up the composition with a finely orchestrated accompaniment. Holland blends the three horns perfectly again on "Modern Times," making this complex and tight orchestration seem simple.



Fans of Dave Holland with appreciate the arc of his music, from electric Miles to free jazz, his Brooklyn connection, and finally to this very tightly orchestrated 21st century traditional jazz. Maybe matured is not the correct word for Holland; maybe ripened better describes his music.

Track Listing

The Sum Of All Parts; Fast Track; Lazy Snake; Double Vision; Equality; Modern Times; Rivers Run; Processional; Pass It On.

Personnel

Dave Holland: bass; Eric Harland: drums; Antonio Hart: alto saxophone; Robin Eubanks: trombone; Mulgrew Miler: piano; Alex Sipiagin: trumpet.

Album information

Title: Pass It On | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Dare2 Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts

Apr 9 Tue
Apr 9 Tue

For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.