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Live Reviews
Dave Holland Big Band: Philadelphia, December 11, 2010
Dylan McGuire
Professional writer and musician/songwriterDave Holland Big Band
Painted Bride Art Center
Philadelphia, PA
December 11, 2010
Bassist and jazz music legend Dave Holland says he is a believer in the communal spirit of music and, judging by the scope of talent in his Big Band—as well as the enthusiastic capacity crowd at his shows at the Painted Bride Arts Center in Philadelphia on Dec. 11—the community is happy to embrace his vision.
Although it only makes a few appearances a year, Dave Holland's Big Band has two Grammy Award-winning albums under its belt, and features a virtual "who's who" of top-flight jazz professionals. Holland—who is perhaps best known for his collaborations with greats such as Miles Davis
Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet
, Chick Corea
Chick Corea
b.1941
piano
and Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny
b.1954
guitar
—makes the perfect bandleader for this all-star cast with his easygoing British manner, and his emphasis on making sure that all 18 members of the band have an opportunity to shine.
"Compositionally, the Big Band offers a lot of choices about instrumentation and orchestration. There is more focus on the rhythm of the music. In the smaller group there is much less written material and there is more focus on improvisation," Holland said in an interview prior to the show. "Everyone [in the Big Band] has an opportunity to present himself as a soloist and the cast of personalities is quite extraordinary."
Holland, who has been on the road with his quartet and quintet recently, took a break from his relentless touring schedule to play at the Painted Bride and also to serve as an Artist-In-Residence at Philadelphia's High School for the Creative Arts and Performing (CAPA), where he mentored young jazz musicians for three days.
Holland kicked off the set with the brooding mid-tempo "Triple Dance," off his What Goes Around (ECM, 2002), fueled by the bassist's ostinato groove, drummer Nate Smith
Nate Smith
drums
's lively ride cymbal work, and Craig Taborn
Craig Taborn
keyboard
's vibraphone-like stabs on Fender Rhodes electric piano. It was immediately obvious that this rhythm section is a powerhouse and its energy was instantly contagious to both the audience and the rest of the band. Holland's booming bass tone spoke with authority and provided a solid core for the big band, yet never overwhelmed or dominated. Surprisingly, Holland would only take two solos the entire night, holding true to his promise of letting his band members all have their time in the spotlight.
Smith was equally impressive, delivering a near athletic performance behind the kit, and effortlessly laying down complex rhythms and fills with a flowing sense of groove. His timing and feel were impeccable, and his dynamics extraordinary, breathing life into the smallest, quietest beats, and then building and exploding. The combination of Smith and Holland is something that any jazz aficionado should witness live.
Baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan
Gary Smulyan
b.1956
sax, baritone
was the first soloist, blending in with the deep groove and hitting floor-shaking notes that brought visible smiles to the rest of his band mates. The rest of the band made its entrance during his solo, blowing complex lines and harmonies, and demonstrating a small piece of Holland's immense talent as an arranger that the audience would continue to savor throughout the performance.
Smulyman was followed by a wildly passionate solo from alto saxophonist Antonio Hart
Antonio Hart
b.1968
saxophone
, who delivered rapid fire licks that burst forth over the band. The rhythm section pulled back and let trumpeter Alex “Sasha” Sipiagin
Alex “Sasha” Sipiagin
weave a tasteful tapestry around the band. The tune ended with simultaneous improvisations by the song's featured soloists, a pattern that would be repeated throughout the night.
Next up was "Last Minute Man," which Holland jokingly dedicated to a member of the band who he said would remain nameless. The funky, odd-time signature rhythm led to one of the most memorable melodies of the night, before opening into a profound solo from trombonist Robin Eubanks
Robin Eubanks
b.1955
trombone
that drew shouts from individual audience members, followed by a soaring trumpet solo from his brother, Dave Eubanks.
The audience was then treated to Holland's first bass solo of the night. Holland has an uncanny ability to keep the groove going non-stop, while flying all over the fingerboard of his double-bass, almost as if there were two musicians playing. He left no doubt that he is a true master of his instrument.
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