Rick Holland Little Big Band
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Rick Holland Little Big Band

Rochester, New York, United States | INDIE | AFM

Rochester, New York, United States | INDIE | AFM
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"Cadence Review"

In Time’s Shadow features a tasty big band that interprets exciting original compositions and several standards on this warm and welcome program. The band swings hard under the co-leadership of trumpeter Rick Holland and trombonist Evan Dobbins, and achieves a balance of cool sonority along with its fire.

Although the performance includes superb soloing on a level that sets lofty standards, the focus is on the band’s arrangers: Brent Wallarab, Bill Dobbins, Jim Martin, and Kerry Strayer. While the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band contains fewer members than a standard big band, each arrangement has been conceived with a full orchestral sound in mind. Thus, the band’s sections blossom with full harmonic layers that do each composition justice. Jim Martin’s title track flows gently with a broad brush of harmonic colors that waft lazily as if riding on a cool summer breeze. The piece, a slow and swinging contrafact for “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” features warm solos from saxophonist Matt Pivec, trumpeter Holland, and pianist John Nyerges.

Kerry Strayer opens “Jeru Blue” with echoes of Gerry Mulligan and moves the band into a boppin’ journey through time. Glenn Cashman waltzes comfortably through “Creature Comfort” with a spontaneous solo section that bubbles with one surprise after another. “Rosetta” features a swinging theme by pianist Nyerges and another stirring solo spot from trumpeter Holland.

Other creative soloists on this warm and swinging program include baritone saxophonist Dean Keller, tenor saxophonist John Viavattine, trumpeter Brian Shaw and trombonist Neal Melley.

Jim Santella
Cadence Magazine

- Cadence Magazine


"E-Jazz News"

CD Reviews: Rick Holland & Evan Dobbins "In Time's Shadow" CD-2006 Blujazz

By Glenn Astarita

This ten-piece ensemble combines the eloquence and nuance of a small group with the snappy horn charts of a big band. Trumpeter Rick Holland and trombonist Evan Dobbins enact a rite of passage, consisting of fluid arrangements, awash with cascading horns and gracefully ascending head charts. Add a smidgeon of tender balladry and you have a frothy concoction of briskly swinging motifs, all enhanced by the band's buoyant undercurrents.

Tenor saxophonist John Viavattine renders a soulful, jazz solo on the Latin-tinged opener titled "SUNY-Triangle," which denotes a playful spin on the Bermuda Triangle and the State University of New York. Therefore, the band soldiers forward with a tropical edge, merged with a gutsy, East Coast type modern jazz vibe. At times, the musicians pack a mighty wallop to coincide with their tastefully enacted dynamics, where the soloists often reconstruct a given melody line. Holland and Dobbins triumphantly aggregate mainstream big band theories with a contemporary slant that underscores this irrefutably entertaining succession of works. - Glenn Astarita - Glenn Astirita


"Timeless Jazz"

IN TIME’S SHADOW

The Rick Holland /Evan Dobbins Little Big Band

This recording features the sounds of timeless jazz and new music written for a little big band. A little big band is usually a band composed of less than 20 pieces and more than a tentet (10-piece band). Here, a tenet, listeners will delight in the sounds of updated Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, and Gerry Mulligan treasures as well as songs composed and arranged by Jim Martin, Bill Dobbins, Kerry Strayer and Brent Wallarab among others. The record opens with “SUNY-Triangle” a driving samba written over Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Triste.” It features some excellent soloing by tenor saxophonist John Viavattine and pianist John Nyrges. “Black and Tan Fantasy,” is played in a 12/8 Afro-Cuban feel with involved soloing from soprano saxophone player Matt Pivec and trumpeter Brian Shaw. Their extended improvisations make this song one of the best on the CD. Earl Hines’ standard “Rosetta” is bright and punchy and features some catchy call and response in the horn sections while Gerry Mulligan’s “Night Lights,” has a moody West Coast cool vibe with its 40s film noir sound and expansive polyphonic sections. This song truly captures the cool atmosphere of Mulligan’s well-known delivery. Overall, this recording is an excellent documentation of angular post-bop, laid-back polyphonics, Latin numbers, and straight-ahead swing by a great “little big band.” Intense and intelligent, this 10-piece band brought to you by Rick Holland and Evan Dobbins has a sound that is rarely offered in today’s jazz clubs. So order your copy today.


Paula Edelstein.
- P. Edelstein


"The title of this set is an apt one"



While much of the music presented by the Rick Holland- Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, it hearkens back -in terms of its sophistication, confidence and outright jazz literacy, not nostalgically-to an era when progressive jazz, and big bands -this one numbering 10 pieces-flourished on the scene. This is one sophisticated outfit, featuring the arrangements and compositional skills of Brent Wallarab, Jim Martin, Bill Dobbins and Kerry Strayer, this band struts out the tradition and make some joyous, complex, and elegant music that reflects its own unique identity. The resumes of all these players are impressive and reflected in the confidence of the date. It opens with "SUNY-Triangle," a Martin composition that works its artful sleight-of-hand over Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Triste." Martin uses the rhythmically complex samba and drapes some tough, knotty twists and turns over it. The intro is a beautiful and raucous wake up call, while the head of the tune, with its staggered entrances and exits-including some fine soloing by John Viavattine on tenor and John Nyerges on piano-give this tune its u own unique identity. "Creature Comfort" is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad by Wallarab with edgeless yet multi-dimensional dissonances written into its harmonics. It swings beautifully and includes a fine, punchy solo by tenorman Glenn Cashman.

Besides the originals, there are some fine readings here as well. There's
Wallarab's arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy" that's a
thoroughly modern exercise losing none of Ellington's humor or rhythmic
complexity. Likewise, Gerry Mulligan's haunting, wee hours, "Night Lights,"
is given expert treatment here by Straver and Dean Keller's baritone
saxophone playing is combines Mulligan's sense of lyric and Ben Webster's
sense of time. In Time's Shadow reveals that innovation need not sacrifice
accessibility or swing. It is convincing evidence that the big band form is
alive, well and full of surprises. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music.com

- All Music Guide


"In Time’s Shadow breathes new life into a jazz genre"

All About Jazz-LA

In Time’s Shadow
BlueJazz
by Ollie Bivins

Rick Holland (Trumpet) and Evan Dobbins (Trombone) lead a group of New York area musicians who could give the more well-known big bands in New York and Los Angeles a run for their money.

Consisting of original compositions by band members and several from unheralded composer and former Jazz Specialist for the Smithsonian Institute: Brent Wallarab, In Time’s Shadow breathes new life into a jazz genre that some say has been in need of a transfusion for a long time.

Although the 10 member band big band also covers material by Duke Ellington (“Black and Tan Fantasy”), Earl “Fatha” Hines (“Rosetta”), Alec Wilder (“While We’reYoung”), and Gerry Mulligan (“Night Lights”), it is on the well crafted originals of Jim Martin that the band really shines. From the hard driving samba of “SUNY-Triangle”, to the film noir-like tilte track, the 10 piece aggregation’s playing is marked by strong, self confident soloing throughout.

And it is this individual musicianship, particularly with trumpeter Holland, along with the quality of the original compositions that makes In Tim’es Shadow a treat. I would love to see this band live so I can see them stretch out more on each performance.

As part of the the Blujazz label, a label that promotes and distributes jazz musician’s albums, this big band is taking it’s destiny into it’s own hands rather than wait to be “discovered” by the major labels. More power to this label and all others who do the same. Lovers of Big Band music, especially, will like the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band’s refreshing recording - AAJazz-LA


"Radio-Review"

I have just played “In Time’s Shadow” the new CD from the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band. What a disc! What a sound! What an ensemble! This disc is my top nomination for jazz ensemble release of the year. The arranging is nonpareil and the soloists masterful. The whole package is varied, listenable, and leaves the audience asking for more. Rick Holland and Evan Dobbins have created a musical experience that our listeners will absorb and enjoy.

Doug Collar
“Jazz Till Midnight”
WKAR-FM
East Lansing - Doug Collar-WMUK


"Don't Let the Name Mislead You"

In Time's Shadow
Rick Holland / Evan Dobbins Little Big Band | Blujazz

Don’t let the name mislead you. The only thing small about the Rick Holland/Evan Dobbins Band is its numbers. Everything else is super-size—from the remarkable energy and wall-to-wall sound to the awesome charts by Jim Martin, Brent Wallarab, Kerry Strayer and Bill Dobbins that never fail to bring out the best in the band’s two-trumpet, two-trombone, four reeds and rhythm format.

As a result, the band has released a debut album that sparkles and swings from end to end, with precise section work and impressive solos by trumpeter Holland and a number of others, most notably pianist John Nyerges. Martin wrote and arranged the saucy samba “SUNY-Triangle” (based on Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Triste”) and the iridescent “In Time’s Shadow” (aka “Polka Dots and Moonbeams”), and it’s always a pleasure to hear from him. Martin, as some may recall, wrote a number of brilliant charts some years ago for Rob Parton’s Chicago-based JazzTech Big Band (including “Laura” and “Sentimental Journey”) along with such memorable compositions as “Dreamer of Dreams” and “Main Street News” before giving up writing for teaching. As you’ll hear, he hasn’t lost the touch.

Wallarab, who co-leads his own big band in Indianapolis with Mark Buselli, wrote “Creature Comfort,” “Footnote” and the closing samba, “Five by Five,” and adeptly remodeled Duke Ellington’s “Black and Tan Fantasy” (it’s in there somewhere) to suit a 12/8 Afro-Cuban beat. Baritone saxophonist Strayer, an earnest admirer of Gerry Mulligan, pays tribute to the master with the evocative “Jeru Blue.” Strayer also arranged Mulligan’s atmospheric “Night Lights” and Earl Hines’ strapping swinger, “Rosetta,” while Dobbins wrote the groovy blues, “Minor Incident,” and arranged Alec Wilder’s lyrical waltz, “While We’re Young.”

Strayer solos with tenor John Viavattine and bassist Dave Arenius on “Jeru Blue.” Holland is heard with Nyerges on “Footnote,” “Time’s Shadow” and “Rosetta,” baritone Dean Keller on “Night Lights,” soprano Matt Pivec on “While We’re Young.” Nyerges is showcased on “Five by Five” and shares center stage with Viavattine on “SUNY-Triangle,“ tenor Glenn Cashman on “Creature Comfort.” Pivec and trumpeter Brian Shaw are the soloists on “Black and Tan Fantasy,” Shaw, Nyerges and trombonist Neal Melley on “Minor Incident.” None is less than admirable.

The Holland/Dobbins Little Big Band is more big than little, in every sense of the word. Big band enthusiasts should love it, and so should everyone else who digs well-designed and well-played contemporary jazz.

Jack Bowers-All About Jazz.com

Reprinted with permission. Copyright (c) [2006] AllAboutJazz.com by Jack Bowers. - Jack Bowers-AAJ


"Best Group in Genre"

To be sure, as producer Bob Rusch mentions in the liner notes, this music is "certainly not radical or innovative." Still, it is some of the best group playing in its genre of jazz bop. Trumpeter Rick Holland boasts a confident style, with a gentle tone reminiscent of Chet Baker, and Holland is equally adept on flugelhorn. A highlight is his duo with pianist Larry Novak on the standard "My Foolish Heart." Holland brings two rhythm sections: first, his usual Detroit group of pianist Terry Lower (who penned four of the charts), bassist Ed Fedewa and drummer Larry Ochiltree; the second, sans drums, with bassist Thomas Knife and pianist Larry Novak. The stellar recording quality, combined with a lovely mix of standards (including "The Touch of Your Lips" and "Lush Life") and originals matches the outstanding performances all the way around.
- Steven Loewy **** 1/2 stars - Steve Lowey-All Music


"You'd Be So Nice"



You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To

Rick Holland once again has recorded a selection of tunes particularly suited to his style, which consists of a bright, round tone and distinct articulation expressing a free flow of thought bordered by metrical and harmonic considerations. Unlike Positive Settings and There Will Never Be Another You though, You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To adds a foil: Hendrik Meurkens. Holland's mellow approach and the narrow range of his dynamics belie some inspired ideas supporting his solos. That's certainly not the case with Meurkens, who plays harmonica with a technique that certainly cannot be described as mellow or narrow throughout most of the CD. While Holland performs the solo of "The Days of Wine and Roses" with an economy of notes and with a light but certain swing, the occasional sweetness of a raised-an-octave blurt slipping in, Meurkens employs all of the persuasiveness at his command, not just to deliver a message, but also to ingratiate himself with the listener through the rhetorical flourishes of his harmonica.

Thus, Holland's quintet offers contrasts not evident on his previous two CDs: Holland's American plain spokenness, so to speak, on "Slidin'," versus the Dutch-bred Meurkens' aposiopesis of abrupt rests on "Mundell's Mood" or Holland's slippery and linear ease through his solos on "Someday My Prince Will Come" versus Meurkens' anaphora of repeated phrases on "Come Rain or Come Shine"or Holland's lingering on half notes and slurred whole notes over two measures for full note-value effect in "Mundell's Mood" versus Meurkens' polysyndeton of connective noteson "Bolero"or Holland's placid exterior concealing roiling undercurrent versus Meurkens' overt emotional engagement. Or Holland's assured control of the flugelhorn's statements mostly in quarter notes or eighth notes during improvisation versus the unpredictability of Meurkens' harmonica as it goes microtonal or as it rips off notes with blinding sonarity. Still, the opposing and yet complementary styles of Holland and Meurkens work.

Their trading of choruses on "Someday My Prince Will Come" makes evident the understanding between the musicians despite the distance between their countries of birth or the differences between their cultural experiences. Holland spent much of his career with traditional bands like Louie Bellson's or Rob McConnell's, while Meurkens has in large part devoted himself to Brazilian music during the last 20 years. As Holland/Meurkens lead into "The Cottage" with a unison statement of the melody, they speak as one voice with joint precision and subdued force until the breakout of solos, which is where their styles diverge, largely as a result of their instruments’ technical characteristics instead of their personalities.

Holland's rhythm section from the previous CDs provides solid back-up, and pianist Terry Lower delivers low-key but illuminating solos as the occasion arises, either during introductions or during a round of ad-libbing. In deference to Meurkens' participation in the project, four of the tunes are his compositions, including his frequently played "Slidin" from the CD of the same name, while Holland contributes "Strayhorn." Combined with the four standards, the tracks on You¹d Be So Nice to Come Home to provide the opportunity for two instrumentalists who share melodic sensibilities, even during improvisation, to toss ideas back and forth during a project they obviously enjoyed.
- Bill Donaldson, Cadence Magazine - Cadence


Discography

New Disc being recorded at ESM on May 10-12. Featuring the writing of Bill Dobbins, and featuring other world class Jazz musicians.

LBB:
2006-In Time's Shadow-Blujazz Records

2010--New Recording featuring the Arrangements of Bill Dobbins, Brent Wallarab and Kerry Strayer.

Rick Holland Discography:
1998-Cadence Records-"There Will Be Another You"
1999-Cadence Records-"Positive Settings"
2000-Cadence Records-"You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To"
2002-Rhombus Records-"Speak Low" W/Bari Saxophonist Kerry Strayer

Photos

Bio

Rick Holland Productions

Little Big Band (Jazz, contemporary)

Please see www.rickhollandproductions.com

The players in this ensemble have performed and played with the likes of Phill Woods, Count Basie, Slide Hampton, Chuck Israels, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter and many many more!!

This group features conservatory trained musicians from the Eastman School of Music, NEC and other world class institutions!

This new Ten piece ensemble plays exciting contemporary-mainstream jazz, featuring some of the best writers from around the country!

Doug Collar, of NPR Radio says,

I have just played “In Time’s Shadow” the new CD from the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band. What a disc! What a sound! What an ensemble! This disc is my top nomination for jazz ensemble release of the year. The arranging is nonpareil and the soloists masterful. The whole package is varied, listenable, and leaves the audience asking for more. Rick Holland and Evan Dobbins have created a musical experience that our listeners will absorb and enjoy.
Doug Collar_“Jazz Till Midnight”

There's nothing little about these guys--big sound and big talent. What a great show at Hi Fidelity with a special guest singer Nancy Donnelly. Dean Keller killed on bari--his solo on Nightlights was so beautiful that I had tears, and Evan Dobbins is a monster trombone player. I can't wait to hear these guys again. - Tracy Kroft “Rochester, Scene And Heard

"The Rick Holland/Evan Dobbins Little Big Band is by far one of the best musical organizations in town. This stellar group of musicians have an intense jazz sound that is not easily matched. Without a doubt, their performance during our live concert series on Jazz90.1 was one of the best yet."

Rob Linton, MSEd
Station Manager
Midday Host (M-F 10 A.M. - Noon E.T.) Jazz90.1

I have just played “In Time’s Shadow” the new CD from the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band. What a disc! What a sound! What an ensemble! This disc is my top nomination for jazz ensemble release of the year. The arranging is nonpareil and the soloists masterful. The whole package is varied, listenable, and leaves the audience asking for more. Rick Holland and Evan Dobbins have created a musical experience that our listeners will absorb and enjoy.- Doug Collar
“Jazz Till Midnight

In Time's Shadow features a tasty big band that interprets exciting original compositions and several standards on this warm and welcome program. The band swings hard under the co-leadership of trumpeter Rick Holland and trombonist Evan Dobbins, and achieves a balance of cool sonority along with its fire. -Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine.

Holland and Dobbins triumphantly aggregate mainstream big band theories with a contemporary slant that underscores this irrefutably entertaining succession of works.Glenn Astarita, E-Jazz News

In Time's Shadow reveals that innovation need not sacrifice
accessibility or swing. It is convincing evidence that the big band form is
alive, well and full of surprises. - Thom Jurek, All Music.com

Rick Holland (Trumpet) and Evan Dobbins (Trombone) lead a group of New York area musicians who could give the more well-known big bands in New York and Los Angeles a run for their money. And it is this individual musicianship, particularly with trumpeter Holland, along with the quality of the original compositions that makes In Time's Shadow a treat. - Ollie Bivins—All About Jazz-LA

The broad repertoire his groups encompass and the care with which he deals with musical details are a welcome exception in this age of super specialization and an obsession with quick results at the expense of real quality. - Bill Dobbins, The Eastman School of Music

Don’t let the name mislead you. The only thing small about the Rick Holland/Evan Dobbins Band is its numbers. Everything else is super-size—from the remarkable energy and wall-to-wall sound to the awesome charts by Jim Martin, Brent Wallarab, Kerry Strayer and Bill Dobbins that never fail to bring out the best in the band’s two-trumpet, two-trombone, three reeds and rhythm format. - Jack Bowers, All About Jazz, NY

Dr. Mike's hot picks for june 5th through June 11th...... "... Trumpet and Flugel player Rick Holland's fifth album as a leader features the Rick Holland and Evan Dobbins little big band.. . super release... Rick Holland has produced a winner for 2006!!" - Dr. Mike, radiojazz.com