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John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble: Eternal Interlude
by Troy Collins
In addition to leading the unclassifiable Claudia Quintet and performing numerous sideman duties, composer and percussionist John Hollenbeck is renowned for his inimitable multi-layered writing. Hollenbeck studied under composer Bob Brookmeyer before charting a unique path in creative improvised music, incorporating elements of minimalism, post-rock and indigenous folk music into his eclectic compositions. As leader of a twenty piece Large Ensemble, he expands the sonic palette of traditional big band writing with his unorthodox approach.
Featuring a series ...
Continue ReadingJohn Hollenbeck Large Ensemble: Eternal Interlude
by Mark F. Turner
Like fragments of crystal, John Hollenbeck's large ensemble casts angular lines, unusual shapes and refracts music (rather than light) differently than typical jazz big bands. The prolific drummer/composer's progressive slant has been at the core of The Claudia Quintet's For (Cuneiform, 2007) and Semi-Formal (Cuneiform, 2006); music marked by enigmatic ideas of swing, modern chamber music and wider influences. Like his first large ensemble recording A Blessing (Omnitone, 2005), Eternal Interlude documents Hollenbeck's inventions on grander scale ...
Continue ReadingJohn Hollenbeck: Rainbow Jimmies
by AAJ Italy Staff
Rainbows Jimmies (The Music of John Hollenbeck) - sottotitolo forse un po' pomposo ma esplicativo - è la documentazione più attuale ed esauriente dello stato dell'arte del John Hollenbeck compositore piuttosto che del valente batterista o leader del Claudia Quintet. Vi è in Rainbows Jimmies la visione aperta sul mondo, futurista, ricca di suggestioni e di qualche piccola contraddizione, allergica alle convenzioni, di una testa pensante che ama esplorare i territori in(de)finiti della composizione, della forma, della libera improvvisazione, della ...
Continue ReadingJohn Hollenbeck: Rainbow Jimmies
by Lyn Horton
In 2007, percussionist and composer John Hollenbeck won a Guggenheim Fellowship he used to study the extent to which the violin can be pushed instrumentally. To do this, he worked with consummate violinist Todd Reynolds and vibraphonist Matt Moran and created “The Gray Cottage Studies," which provide the majority of pieces for Rainbow Jimmies (the remaining four tracks of the recording spotlight other musical groups). Hollenbeck's muses are his direct experiences with his work surroundings. Generally, he ...
Continue ReadingJohn Hollenbeck: Rainbow Jimmies
by Troy Collins
Percussionist and composer John Hollenbeck has led a diverse and multifaceted career since his early studies with legendary trombonist/composer Bob Brookmeyer. As a sideman, Hollenbeck has served alongside Brookmeyer, Satoko Fujii, Fred Hersch, Jim McNeely, Patrick Zimmerli, and others in addition to leading his own group, the unclassifiable Claudia Quintet. On a larger scale, he has written for big band, collaborated with new music composer Meredith Monk, and received numerous commissions from wind and percussion ensembles.
Whether writing ...
Continue ReadingJohn Hollenbeck: Rainbow Jimmies
by Mark Corroto
When encountering drummer John Hollenbeck in a traditional jazz setting, there's usually the distinct feeling that he is something other than a jazz drummer. Where some drummers muscle their way through a set, he prefers to finesse the music, accenting the songs in always new and creative ways. Maybe it is his past experience in other formats such as klezmer, Latin, classical and especially world music, that affords him the freedom to dream beyond the parochial nature of jazz.
Continue ReadingThe Claudia Quintet: For
by Jerry D'Souza
The Claudia Quintet has been evolving and shaping its music, creating a potent and forceful presence. They do it with graceful finesse; working the elements to let melody get its due and improvisation mark its presence. Think of the quintet as a minstrel of joy and the charm of their music becomes apparent. Theirs is a sound that flows like a river of shimmering beauty that glimmers, glows and most importantly, runs deep.
The music challenges norms. What ...
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