ANN ARBOR – Returning almost three years after his University Musical Society debut, world-renowned jazz bassist Dave Holland and his Octet and Big Band will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Michigan Theater.
Whether as a solo artist or fronting one of the many incarnations of his band, Holland, 60, creates music that covers the entire spectrum of jazz. Holland began his career as a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s and hasn't looked back since, collaborating with some of the jazz world's greats in addition to forming his own unique projects.
"One of the things that's happening to me as I get older," said Holland in a statement, "is that I'm thinking more and more about using the totality of my experience as a player. Something Sam Rivers said a long time ago has stayed with me: 'Don't leave anything out, use it all.' That's become almost a mantra for me over the years as I've tried to find a way to build a vehicle which lets me utilize the full spectrum which includes the tradition, which includes playing the blues, which includes improvising freely. I love all that music, and there's been a desire to reconcile all those areas, to make them relevant, hopefully, in a contemporary context, as one music."
For this special performance, Holland will be fronting both his Octet and Big Band, which won the 2006 Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble. For tickets or additional information, contact the University Musical Society at (734) 764-2538 or online at http://www.ums.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the League Ticket Office (911 North University Avenue). The UMS Ticket Office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
Dave Holland Octet and Big Band
8 p.m. Feb. 22
Michigan Theater
603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor
Tickets: $18-$44
http://www.ums.org
