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Sometimes I wonder if jazz musicians are born to continually hone their craft. For them, music isn’t an arc where a creative flourish is followed by future reunion tours. Instead, it’s a rise and expansion of musical proficiency and knowledge. For example, take a look at bassist, Dave Holland.
Born in the jazz hotbed of Wolverhampton, England, Holland was already an established figure on the London jazz scene when he caught the ear of Miles Davis. On first impression, Davis asked Holland to join his band. And after a two year stint, Holland would move on, forming groups from trios to sextets and collaborating with the likes of Betty Carter, Bonnie Raitt, Roy Haynes and Herbie Hancock.
When I saw him in concert in 2000, he was touring with his big band. It was his first foray into the larger group and it was a challenging experience for as Holland explained “There’s a fine line for balance, utilizing the band for my composing and arranging, but also keeping the flexibility and freedom in the music.”
Holland was rewarded for his freshman effort. A few weeks before Holland arrived in the Twin Cities to warm up the crowd, he received a Grammy for the Big Band’s release, What Goes Around. Not a bad result. But why stop there?
In 2007 at the age of 61, Holland decided it was time to learn something entirely new. The idea came at the request of Mario Pachero, director of the musical label, Nuevos Medios. Pachero wanted to create a musical project where a jazz and flamenco artist collaborated on a new album.
This request wasn’t a weekend gig. As Chris May from All About Jazz explains:
“… flamenco is not easy for a non-Gypsy convincingly to perform. Intricately codified, rich in lore and tradition, its broad mannerisms can be mimicked quickly enough, but to inhabit its soul, its cante jondo (deep song) takes much, much longer.”
Holland’s commitment to his musical partner, flamenco guitarist, Pepe Habichuela, would last longer than most NBA marriages for he approached the project with a humility and openness. Up until this point Holland was an established jazz elder, mentoring musicians half his age. Under Habichuela’s tutelage he worked like an intern trying to capture the subtle and complex soul of a folk music that runs passionately through the dry southern regions of Spain. Practice and play, play and practice, Holland met on and off with Habichuela for more than three years, describing the learning process like a growing young tree “… that will eventually bear blossoms and fruit.”
In 2010 Holland and Habichuela released Hands, a sprite and joyful celebration of the rich, vibrant sound of flamenco. Never does so much come from such a small group. The album is aptly named. Just listen to “Subi La Cuesta” (Up the Hill) and see if it doesn’t get you on your feet, clapping.
- Dave
