Articles

Musette Explosion!

By Ludovico Granvassu

Musette Explosion is a trio featuring Will Holshouser (accordion), Matt Munisteri (guitar) and Marcus Rojas (tuba) which gives a very New York twist to a quintessentially Parisian art-form like Musette music. Together they bring this genre to new places through virtuosic improvisation and original pieces, sonic surprises and adventurous playing, shot through with a sense of fun and an emotional depth. Happy listening! Will Holshouser, Matt Munisteri “Mysterieuse" Musette Explosions (Self-produced) 00:00:00 Musette Explosion ...

Will Holshouser Trio with Bernardo Sassetti: Palace Ghosts and Drunken Hymns

By Mark Corroto

Inspired by the sights, sounds, and people of Lisbon, Portugal, American accordionist Will Holshouser collaborates with Portuguese pianist Bernardo Sassetti on a recording that is equal parts jazz (European and American), folk (again European and American--both North and South American), and chamber music. While it may take an ethnomusicologist to sort out all the roots and influences, it can easily be described as “grinning Portuguese music."

Holshouser's trio consists of two fine musicians that are unheralded, trumpeter Ron Horton (Andrew ...

Will Holshouser: Singing To A Bee

By Budd Kopman

The first thing one notices about Singing To A Bee is the intricate packaging of folded cardboard with a magnetic catch (!) to hold the assembly together. Having never seen anything quite like this before (the winner in packaging originality thus far was Gebhard Ullmann's 1993 recording Ta Lam, released by 99 Records), I was more than a little intrigued as to what music was lurking inside. Singing To A Bee is a live recording of a ...

Will Holshouser Trio: Reed Song

By Jerry D'Souza

The accordion has been used very little in jazz. This is understandable, given its apparent limitations as an instrument for improvisation despite its rich sonority. It is not surprising, then, that Will Holshauser concentrates on the melody and coaxes it as far as it will go without falling in to a chasm. Improvisation, however, is the zen for trumpeter Ron Horton and bassist David Phillips, whose dynamics are laudable indeed, and for the redoubtable drummer Kevin Norton whose intuition for ...

Will Holshouser Trio: Reed Song

By Glenn Astarita

Accordionist Will Holshouser utilizes his instrument in ways that may seem foreign, yet comparatively innovative, to the willing listener. With his jazz-based trio, also featuring drummer/percussionist Kevin Norton performing on two pieces, the leader melds the sounds of a Paris cabaret with jazzy grooves, shuffle boogies, roots music and more. Trumpeter Ron Horton and bassist David Phillips often engage in radiant and at times playful soloing escapades as the trio mixes it up rather nicely throughout this spirited program.