Dave Holland

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube

Dave Holland, born on October 1, 1946, is a highly acclaimed English jazz double bassist, composer, and bandleader with a remarkable career spanning five decades. Despite his English roots, he has resided in the United States for a significant portion of his life, totaling 40 years.

His musical repertoire is expansive, ranging from solo performances to commanding big bands. In 2005, Holland launched his independent record label, Dare2, which has since become an integral part of his artistic endeavors. He has distilled his musical philosophy into a succinct quote, drawing inspiration from fellow jazz artist Sam Rivers, who once said, “Don’t leave anything out—play all of it.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Holland has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most eminent figures in the jazz world, leaving an indelible mark through his participation in numerous classic recording sessions.

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Dave Holland embarked on his musical journey as a self-taught instrumentalist. His fascination with stringed instruments began at the tender age of four, starting with the ukulele and progressing to the guitar, eventually settling on the bass guitar.

At the age of 15, Holland made the bold decision to leave school and dedicate himself to music, initially performing in a top-40 band. However, his passion for jazz soon led him down a different path.

Inspiration struck when he came across an issue of Down Beat magazine that celebrated Ray Brown as the critics’ choice for best bass player. Intrigued, Holland promptly visited a record store and acquired a couple of LPs featuring Ray Brown accompanying the renowned pianist Oscar Peterson. In addition to these, he purchased albums by Leroy Vinnegar (namely, “Leroy Walks!” and “Leroy Walks Again”) simply because Vinnegar was pictured on the cover with his bass. This encounter proved transformative as, within a week, Holland exchanged his bass guitar for an acoustic bass and immersed himself in dedicated practice, learning from these influential recordings.

Dave Holland’s musical journey also drew inspiration from legendary bassists such as Charles Mingus and Jimmy Garrison, further shaping his distinctive approach to the double bass.

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube