Dave Holland Quintet en Freiburg

Dave Holland is a real reference point in the jazz world. A musician, composer and bandleader, the British-born, American-dwelling, double bassist has helped steer the direction of improvised music over the last fifty years. It was in London that Miles Davis first discovered him, opening for Bill Evans at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in the late 60s. Davis was so impressed he asked him to replace Ron Carter in his group and gave Holland three days notice to fly to New York for an engagement at Count Basie's nightclub. It was the start of his trans-continental career and in Davis' setup Holland played alongside the likes of Herbie Hancock (briefly), Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, Wayne Shorter and more, appearing on Bitches Brew and In A Silent Way and swapping his upright bass for an electric one.

In the next years Holland recorded prolifically for ECM as both leader and sideman and played with all manner of artists on stage, from Thelonious Monk to Stan Getz. He also formed his own quintet, which we see here at the 1986 Zelt-Musik-Festival in Germany. By this point Holland commanded broad respect as a leader and was able to gather a stellar line-up including a significant collaborator of his, the saxophonist Steve Coleman. They offered intelligently-pitched, beguiling and characterful jazz, the kind of music that demands a second listen.