“Hommage”
The Bill Holman Band
Jazzed Media (JM1024)Well-deserved accolades abound for Bill Holman. Known for his command of multi-themed linear writing. Holman continues to defy pigeonholing. Multi-reed band member Bob Efford says, “You never know what is going to come out of him but it’s always fresh without seeming to try to be, for lack of a better word, modern.”
Bill Holman came to national attention as a tenor saxophone player and, shortly afterward, as a composer and arranger for Stan Kenton in March 1952. Although Bill’s stint with Kenton’s band was short (until November 1953), he continued to contribute compositions and arrangements. Many of these stayed in the Kenton book until the band’s demise in 1979 proving why Bill was, is, and will be considered one of the major forces in he history of American Jazz from the early 1950’s to the early 21st century.
Listening to his music, from any era, is accessible and enjoyable on the surface level yet on repeated listening unveils layer of intricacies that keep his music timeless and fresh.
Here’s Bill’s tribute to Woody Herman:
Selections:
- Raincheck
HEAR IT! (1.0 MB MP3)- Sunshinola
- Zamboni
- Bemsha Swing
HEAR IT! (1.0 MB MP3)- If You Could See Me Now
HEAR IT! (1.2 MB MP3)- Woodchopper’s Ball
Hommage a Woody- part 1 A Man Of Few Herds
HEAR IT! (1.1 MB MP3)- part 2 Milwaukee Nights
HEAR IT! (1.0 MB MP3)- part 3 The Chopper
Personnel: Woodwinds:
Lanny Morgan (alto & soprano sax, flute)
Bruce Babad (alto & soprano sax, flute)
Pete Christlieb (tenor sax)
Doug Webb (tenor sax)
Bob Efford (baritone sax, clarinet on tracks 2,6, 9)
Bob Carr (baritone sax on tracks 6-9)Trumpets:
Carl Saunders
Pete DiSiena
Ron Stout
Jonathan Dane
Larry Lunetta (tracks 6-9)Trombones:
Jack Redmond
Dave Ryan
Andy Martin
Craig Gosnell (bass tb)Rhythm Section:
Christian Jacob (piano)
Joel Hamilton (bass)
Kevin Kanner (drums)Personnel for May 29,2005 Session:
(Bamsha Swing) same as above, except
Bob Summers replaces Jonathan Dane
Roger Ingram added
John Grab replaces Jack Redmond
Bob Enevoldsen replaces Dave Ryan
Ray Herrmann replaces Doug Webb
Bob Carr out
