Dave Holland: Jazz Bass Genius

One of the Greats

Dave Holland is a genius of jazz bass playing, a master of the cyclical groove that just gets better and better with every iteration.  He is one of the most compelling jazz bass players working today.  His legacy has long been in the making, and his reputation only continues to grow.

A Natural Leader

He is also a brilliant band leader.  The Dave Holland Quintet of recent years have been among the best jazz ensembles anywhere in the world.  Both the studio and live recordings are phenomenal.  The organic nature of their collective improvisations is truly incredible, and the groove that they establish is pure jazz spontaneity.  When a bass player anchors a group like this, it frees up the other members of the band to really stretch out on their solos.  For this and other reasons, Dave Holland has got to be one of the most important band leaders in the world of jazz over the last several decades.

Check this performance out, with a fantastic trombone solo by Robin Eubanks:



Dave is not only a link to the history of jazz (as a result of his work with many other jazz greats, like Miles Davis), but also a great spokesman for the form itself.




What a fantastic player!  Such a joy to listen to (both his playing and his interview), and a giant of the jazz bass.



LIVE FROM ZELT MUSIK FESTIVAL 1986 BY HOLLAND,DAVE QUINTE (DVD) (Google Affiliate Ad)