Dave Holland Octet at Birdland
Dave Holland
Birdland, New York – 01/08/09 – 11:00 p.m.
When I reviewed bassist Dave Holland’s fabulous sextet in September, I described the band as “exhilarating,” marked by “style and power” and possessing “perfect cohesion.” Taking largely the same group and adding two more horns, Holland delivered a driving attack in his late set at Birdland tonight, only slightly less consolidated than the group which played Yoshi’s but adding several more layers of complexity.
The set was a mix of clobbering force and subtle alchemy. Marked by intricate, sometimes methodical arrangements, the music avoided becoming overly analytical thanks to Holland’s locked-in rhythm combo with drummer Nate Smith and vibraphonist Steve Nelson, along with a succession of dynamite solos from all members of the front line. Trombonist Robin Eubanks was in excellent form, searching and chattering his way through several breaks. Alex Sipiagin sang to the night on trumpet and flugelhorn, crafting undulating lines that fit well with the hard, rolling sounds of the three-man sax section. All three saxes — Antonio Hart on alto, Chris Potter on tenor and Gary Smulyan on baritone — provided their share of take-no-prisoners, got-no-brakes excitement. But Smulyan’s twisty, exotic-sounding lines were particularly memorable, whether breaking out on the uptempo “Razor’s Edge” or giving shape to a low, slinky ballad.
Filed Under: Concert Reviews
Having Chris Potter back in the lineup after a hiatus from some recent tours is a good thing in itself. Incorporating a sax trio ingeniously allows Holland’s music the additional range and expands the sound of possibly the best working sextet around these days. Hope this band makes it to the Bay Area soon.