Dave Holland: Consistently Exceptional

Legendary bassist Holland is interviewed.

Nowadays, when someone needs a bass player, Holland, now 62 and one of most iconic bassists on the planet, is probably among the first names that pops to mind. It’s how he ended up playing with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter in recent years. That’s how it’s been since the days he came from his native England at the age of 22 to play with Miles Davis. As a much sought-after player, he cavorted musically from that time forth with the likes of Anthony Braxton, Chick Corea, Sam Rivers, Betty Carter, Joe Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Wheeler, Nick Brignola, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny and so many more. He’s still in demand, but not so much as a sideman anymore—though he keeps his hand in that bag with an illustrious group of collaborators.