Born in Wolverhampton, England, on October 1, 1946 Dave Holland showed a prodigious interest and talent in music starting on the on bass guitar aged 13. Through hard work and enthusiasm he turned professional aged 17 (after leaving school at 15) and soon finding work as a fulltime musician touring the UK and eventually moving to London in 1964.

Once in London he immediately began studying with James E. Merritt, the principal bassist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and tutor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. In the spring of 1964, on Merritt's recommendation, he applied to study on the Guildhall’s degree coursed, to which he attained a full scholarship. Fully immersed in London’s busy music scene Holland combined his studies with professional work that soon found him gigging in bands that played a range of styles from early New Orleans jazz inspired by King Oliver through to more modern styles like bebop.

By the 1966 Holland was playing with some of...

Born in Wolverhampton, England, on October 1, 1946 Dave Holland showed a prodigious interest and talent in music starting on the on bass guitar aged 13. Through hard work and enthusiasm he turned professional aged 17 (after leaving school at 15) and soon finding work as a fulltime musician touring the UK and eventually moving to London in 1964.

Once in London he immediately began studying with James E. Merritt, the principal bassist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and tutor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. In the spring of 1964, on Merritt's recommendation, he applied to study on the Guildhall’s degree coursed, to which he attained a full scholarship. Fully immersed in London’s busy music scene Holland combined his studies with professional work that soon found him gigging in bands that played a range of styles from early New Orleans jazz inspired by King Oliver through to more modern styles like bebop.

By the 1966 Holland was playing with some of the biggest names in British jazz including John Surman, John McLaughlin, Evan Parker, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor and Chris MacGregor who were also based in London; while he also seeking inspiration from the new wave of American bassists including Charles Mingus, Scott LaFaro, Jimmy Garrison, Ron Carter and Gary Peacock. He was also studied classical music at the Guildhall, as well as finding session work for both film and television.

Through regular appearances at Ronnie Scott's as a sideman for such greats as Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Joe Henderson it was in July of 1968 that Miles Davis visited the club and subsequently heard Dave’s playing, and asked him to join his band. Moving to New York to pursue this opportunity a few weeks later he spent the next two years touring and recording with Miles, appearing on two of Davis’ most widely acclaimed albums ‘In A Silent Way’ and ‘Bitches Brew’. During this time he also worked extensively on the New York scene and after leaving Miles’ band in 1970, he formed the band Circle with ex-Miles keyboard player Chick Corea, alongside Anthony Braxton and Barry Altschul.

Despite the group only staying together for a year, Holland continued to work with many significant names in jazz – beginning his longstanding work with saxophonist Sam Rivers – and a brief stint with Thelonious Monk. After joining Stan Getz’s band in 1972 he also recorded his debut album as a leader, the widely acclaimed Conference of the Birds. By the start of 1973 Dave left the Getz quartet and began concentrating on working with Anthony Braxton and with Sam Rivers, both in duo and other settings.

In 1975 he took part in the formation of the Gateway trio with guitarist John Abercrombie and drummer Jack DeJohnette, the latter another ex-Miles band mate. Following the initiation of this project, Holland also worked with Betty Carter for a few months in 1976, then spent the remainder of the decade working and recording with Sam Rivers. He also recorded his stunning album of solo bass music in 1977 entitled Emerald Tears and began performing solo concerts.

The 1980's continued to be a busy time for Holland as he continued working with Sam Rivers, then putting together his own band in 1981, he also recorded an album of solo cello music ‘Life Cycle’. His new quintet featured Kenny Wheeler, Julian Priester, Steve Coleman and Steve Ellington. Later members included Marvin "Smitty" Smith and Robin Eubanks. The group made three ground breaking albums ‘Jumpin' In’, ‘Seeds of Time’ and ‘The Razor's Edge’ and toured extensively until 1987. In 1988 Holland recorded the hugely acclaimed album Triplicate with Jack DeJohnette and Steve Coleman. He also performed with Hank Jones and recorded two albums with him, one of them with Billy Higgins. 1988 saw another variation on this band, a quartet with Steve Coleman, Kevin Eubanks and Marvin "Smitty" Smith, producing the album ‘Extensions’, which was voted album of the year in Downbeat magazine, and received worldwide acclaim.

1990 saw him tour with Jack DeJohnette's Parallel Realities, featuring Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny, he also performed on the Grammy nominated recording, Question and Answer, with Metheny and Roy Haynes. In 1992 Dave began appearing as a regular member of Herbie Hancock's trio and also performed on Joe Henderson's Grammy Award winning recording So Near, So Far. 1993 saw Holland tour as a solo performer and the release of another stunning solo bass set, Ones All.

He also toured with Betty Carter, Geri Allen and Jack DeJohnette recording a live album at London’s Royal Festival Hall entitled Feed the Fire. 1994 saw Gateway tour again, the trio recording for ECM on the album entitled Homecoming. Dave's quartet performed in Europe and America and early in 1995 the band recorded the album Dream of the Elders. The remainder of the year he toured both with his group and as a member of Herbie Hancock's trio with Gene Jackson. In 1996 Holland went on a world tour with Herbie Hancock's quartet, that same year also performing on three Grammy nominated albums: Michael Brecker's Tales from the Hudson, Herbie Hancock's The New Standard, and Billy Childs' The Child Within.

The summer of 1997 saw the birth of his acclaimed quintet featuring Steve Wilson, Robin Eubanks, Steve Nelson and Billy Kilson. Touring Europe extensively they then recorded Points Of View, the band attaining a new plateau of public popularity and critical acclaim with his current quintet. For the last nine years Holland’s Quintet has established itself as one of the finest working bands in jazz today – consistently winning numerous of critics polls since its inception as well as votes for Holland as ‘Best Jazz Bassist’ the band is very much a summation of all that Holand has achieved as a much sought after sideman and his increasingly large catalogue of compositions – while his solo bass performances are nothing short of jaw dropping for their compelling mix of incredible virtuosity and powerful emotion and expression. There are few musicians in jazz as complete as Dave Holland.

The group has made its mark by insisting on being "a group" in an age of all-star projects, and by the time-honored route of going on the road and staying there. Itineraries have taken the unit all over North and South America, Europe and Asia, including a tour of China. Despite the individual members' crowded schedules, each of them makes the quintet a priority. This year, in fact, they've been clocking in thrice with Holland, also appearing as members of his newly formed octet and big band.

(Shrink Biography)