How special musicians like pianist Herbie Hancock and saxophonist Wayne Shorter are, might be best explained by their bassist Dave Holland. “I enjoy just being in between Herbie and Wayne on stage” bassist Dave Holland says. “Herbie's understanding of Wayne and the way he accompanies Wayne works on another level. They've got such a history that it's just wonderful to hear.” Hancock, Shorter and Holland all come from bands that trumpeter Miles Davis led in the sixties. Over the years they've played so many gigs together that their mutual understanding borders on the supernatural. All three of them already had a career before they joined Miles Davis. Hancock, aged eleven, already played a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and scored a jazz hit with Watermelon Man. Ten years later his album Headhunters became the biggest-selling jazz LP. After that each success is followed by another one. In 1959 Wayne Shorter recorded his first album as a leader and soon became musical director for Art Blakey's illustrious Jazz Messengers. After his long stay with Miles Davis he, together with keyboardist Joe Zawinul, founded Weather Report, probably the leading world fusion band of all times. Shorter ranks, next to Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington, among the most creative composers of jazz. Dave Holland was handpicked - by Davis himself - in Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London and collaborated on classic albums as In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. After this period he played in groundbreaking bands like Circle and Gateway. As he went along he concentrated on special projects and his own band. Various magazines have voted The Dave Holland Quintet 'Best Acoustic Jazz Group of the Year' for years in a row.
Throughout the years the only drummer who could keep their quirky way of playing together was the child prodigy Tony Williams. Since he sadly passed away, the young Brian Blade filled up the void that Williams left behind. Blade received his musical education from Ellis Marsalis, Wynton and Branford's father. As a drummer he was influenced by Ed Blackwell, Elvin Jones and Roy Haynes. Blade forged the African influences, the freedom and the complexity these drummers demonstrated to his own style. Discussing that style he once said: “I always have the feeling that I am soloing”. For all these reasons the Herbie Hancock/Wayne Shorter/Dave Holland/Brian Blade Quartet is a band that makes the mouth water. In their musical approach tradition and renewal are great friends and the mutual respect of the musicians is so big that their playing together never loses itself in egomania.
