Rick Holland

A versatile musician and veteran performer in organizations such as the Louie Bellson Big Band (Chicago Based Band), Jimmy Dorsey, Mike Pendowski, Rob Parton , Buddy De Franco, Buselli-Wallrab and Terry Gibbs Bands, Rick Holland brings a wealth of experience and musicality to each performance. In 2005, Rick received his Doctoral degree in Classical performance from Michigan State University. He is a Yamaha Performing artist, active performer and clinician and has served on the music faculties of Western Michigan University and SUNY-Oswego.
Rick has been married since July of 1989, and has three beautiful daughters.
Some recent reviews of In Time's Shadow, a release on Blujazz.
CD Reviews: Rick Holland & Evan Dobbins "In Time's Shadow" CD-2006 Blujazz By Glenn Astarita, EJazz News
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
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, three 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. Jim 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 Bill Dobbin's “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.
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.
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
In Time’s Shadow features a tasty big band that interprets exciting original compositions and several stan- dards on this warm and welcome program. The band swings hard under the co-leadership of trum- peter 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
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.
More Quotations... .
With all the hype going to Wynton Marsalis, you might not guess that there are other, lesser known trumpet players out there who are consistently ripping the hide off the ball. This is the kind of jazz that feels right on a wintry day, drenched with emotional power and skillful fortitude. - Steven Loewy (The All Music Guide)
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, radioiojazz.com
More praise for "In Time's Shadow": 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
Rick Holland is one of my favorite improvisers and has one of the most beautiful flugelhorn sounds I've heard. He creates smooth, fluid, melodic lines, reminiscent of Chet Baker.- Kerry Strayer
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
Rick Holland has a true sense for beauty in his playing. He is a master of the jazz language and has a unique lyrical talent that sets his trumpet and flugelhorn playing apart from most other players.I find it very important in today's jazz environment that a player of Rick Holland's talent gets heard and recognized because he carries on a tradition of swing and melodic playing that I consider most important in jazz.Hendrik Meurkens
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 . Bill Donaldson, Cadence Magazine
Rick Holland..s music is certainly not radical or innovative, but is some of the best group playing in it..s genre of Jazz Bop.Robert D. Rusch, President of Cadence Records
Rick Holland is an impressive musical talent that is well worth a second listening. He shows great maturity, warmth of tone and great command of his instrument. Mitch Genova, Detroit Jazz
Holland..s performances contain superb renditions of classic standards. His flugel work is perfect. This is a Wonderful CD. (You..d Be So nice To Come Home To) Lee Prosser, jazzreview.com
You get the feeling from Holland..s recordings, that Holland and his compatriots are not only talented musicians, but fully formed human beings with wit, style and elegance---folks whom you would enjoy sharing a fine dinner and stimulating conversation.Bill Barton, Green Mountain Jazz Messenger
Holland especially evinces Baker's trademark minimalist approach with a supple tone and well constructed lines that often cross-over into more adventurous post-bop territory.Matt Collar, The All Music Guide
Holland and Meurkens music has unflappable composure and translates into an overriding sense of sophistication and tenderness. Hence the music prompts you to dispel the common drudgeries of life. Now that alone speaks volumes!Glenn Astarita, AllAboutJazz.com
I created my own profile using nUCLEArcENTURy.COM and you should too!