Dave Holland: big band composition lecture

In July 1968, Miles Davis was so impressed with a London performance by jazz bassist Dave Holland that he asked Holland to join his band. On the road with Davis for two years, Holland also recorded on classic Davis albums, including Bitches Brew. Holland subsequently formed the group Circle with Chick Corea, Anthony Braxton, and Barry Altschul, and continued to work with such jazz notables as Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, and Sam Rivers.

In the 1980s, Holland was part of several jazz combos and taught at NEC. He currently leads a quintet, and is a 2005 and 2007 Grammy winner for his big band and for his work with Herbie Hancock.

Awarded an honorary degree by NEC in spring 2004, that fall Holland began a twice-yearly series of residencies in which he shares the many dimensions of his activity as soloist, composer, bandleader, and all-round musician.

We are several generations past the "big band era," but with many players and sound colors available, this is still a seductive format for the sophisticated jazz composer. How to write music for a performing ensemble that can no longer be found on every street corner? For the past decade, Dave Holland has tried his hand at the form, and brings this music to life at NEC this week.