Mike Holober

It’s an appropriate name for a Holober-led band; in many ways, Holober’s management of his many musical inspirations is a balancing act. On one hand, much of what he’s best known for is his work with larger ensembles like the WDR Big Band, the HR Big Band, and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra, whose latest work with Holober at the helm, Hiding Out, earned a 2020 GRAMMY® nomination. On the other, there’s the magnetism of even greater self-actualization, of writing for and leading a smaller group.

Nick Brignola - Things Ain't What They Used To Be: Last Set At Sweet Basil (1992) {Reservoir Music RSRCD174 rel 2003}
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© 1992, 2003 Reservoir Music | RSR CD 174
Jazz / Post Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola, who was influenced by Pepper Adams, had a flurry of activity late in his career, recording for several labels, particularly Reservoir. This disc was recorded during a live set in 1992 at Sweet Basil, featuring the leader with pianist Mike Holober, bassist Rich Syracuse and drummer Dick Berk. The musicians were clearly relaxed and having a ball, stretching out playing favorites like the loping "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," a brisk samba treatment of the normally languid ballad "You Go to My Head" and an extended workout of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way." But Brignola throws his audience a curve by switching to alto sax, clarinet and even soprano sax for individual features.

Having spent the last decade focused on compositions and recordings for his Jazz Orchestra, Scott Reeves took some time during the pandemic to revisit unreleased recordings from his quintet, which put out several albums during the 2000s. Discovering this set recorded live at Harlem's City College of New York in 2005, Reeves re-experienced the palpable chemistry and magic of the night as the band was connecting in a deeply musical place. He had been experimenting with electronic enhancements to his alto flugelhorn and alto valve trombone at the time. In combination with Russ Spiegel's electric guitar on the melodies, and alongside Mike Holober's piano and Fender Rhodes orchestrations, they uncovered a border between the warmth of more traditional forms of jazz and the edginess of more experimental explorations. The quintet is rounded out by veteran New York musicians, bassist Howard Britz and drummer Andy Watson.