Bass Player: Dave Holland

One of the UK’s most celebrated double bass exports, Holland has lived in the US for several decades and continues to perform with a host of Jazz A-listers like John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Miles Davis, Anthony Braxton and many, many more. As well as being one of the most oft-called sidemen, Holland has been leading his own bands since the 1970s and it is from one of these recordings that the attached transcription comes.

‘The Leak’ is from the 2006 CD ‘Critical Mass’ which features Holland alongside Chris Potter, Robin Eubanks, Steve Nelson and Nate Smith. The transcription is the complete bass part. It is presented here as in 3:4 but could also have been written in 12: 8 or alternating 7:8/5:8 bars. Each option would have presented similar challenges due to the nature of Holland’s lines.