Jazz fusion drummer and composer Bob Holz recently released his sixth album for MVD Audio titled ‘Holz-Stathis: Collaborative’.

Joining Bob Holz on the album are John McLaughlin, Jean Luc Ponty, Darryl Jones, Randy Brecker, Elliott Yamin, Alex Acuna, Airto Moreira, Brandon Fields, Ralphe Armstrong, Billy Steinway, Dean Brown, Ric Fierabracci, Jamie Glaser, Ada Rovatti, Karen Briggs, Diana Moreira Purim, Ben Shepherd and Frank Stepanek. The album features twelve new original tunes penned by Holz, Steinway and Brown. Rob Stathis is the Executive Producer. The album is recorded and mixed by multiplatinum sound engineer Dennis Moody.

“I came up with the idea of having McLaughlin, Ponty and Armstrong reunite”

It’s wonderful to have you discuss your sixth album for MVD Audio which was released in September. It features some of the greatest active musicians like John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Darryl Jones and Randy Brecker. What was the recording process for you like?

Bob Holz: Most of the album was recorded in Los Angeles. We initially recorded the rhythm section parts then overdubs. In the studio we typically worked out the arrangements and finalized the order of solos. It was a team effort and it turned out to be a lot of fun. Everyone involved got along and there was a wonderful spirit of cooperation. The recording of this album was a creative process and I was blessed to have some of the greatest with me as we explored the musical possibilities together. Everyone involved gave their best performances.

Would you like to discuss the album and its compositions? How did you approach it and what was the overall vision you had with it?

This album’s recording was interrupted for two years by the pandemic. During the break, I came up with the idea of having McLaughlin, Ponty and Armstrong reunite. Hence the tune ‘World Turned Upside Down’ was born. My producer, Rob Stathis and I wanted to add vocals to the record. So I got vocalist Diana Moreira and her dad, Brazilian percussionist Airto, to record together. I also had singer Elliott Yamin record ‘Back To You’. The rest of the album is comprised of jazz fusion instrumentals. The tunes were mostly written by myself and Billy Steinway. Dean Brown composed a couple of tunes as well. The vision Rob Stathis and I had was to create a record that paid tribute to some of the jazz fusion of the early 1970’s but offered a fresh, contemporary mix.

Do you have any other active projects going on at this point?

Yes. I presently have two bands that play live. This past September I played at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, California with my line up called Bob Holz Fusion Collaborative. That’s me on drums, Alex Machacek on guitar, Brandon Fields on sax, Ralphe Armstrong on bass and Billy Steinway on keyboards. My other band is called Bob Holz and A Vision Forward, which has me on drums, Jamie Glaser on guitar and Ralphe Armstrong on bass.

Would you like to share about your upbringing? Where did you all grow up? Tell us about daily life back in your teenage years.

I’m from upstate New York. I was brought up in a musical family. I have an older brother who introduced me to jazz early on. As a teenager, I practiced and formally studied percussion and music theory. I wanted to study music after high-school so I practiced a lot to prepare for my entry into Berklee College of Music in Boston. I also played in bands while going to school. I also went to a lot of concerts and listened to a lot of music.

How did that lead you to Berklee College of Music?

Berklee was a place to study jazz. I heard a lot about great players coming out of Berklee so I got very interested in going there. It was a logical transition for me.As a young student, I was into both jazz and rock and Boston was a city that was teeming with both styles.

What are some of the most important players that influenced your own style and what in particular did they employ in their playing that you liked?

Initially it was Ringo Starr and Charlie Watts. Also Mitch Mitchell with Jimi Hendrix. John Bonham impressed along with the drummers with Frank Zappa and Jethro Tull. I also loved Carl Palmer and Phil Collins. As I got more into jazz, Billy Cobham, Tony Williams and Alphonse Mouzon became important influences along with Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Buddy Rich ,Paul Motian and Art Blakey. All of these drummers had their own, identifiable sound. Each one was unique and musical in their approach. They all had a lot of emotion and fire in their playing coupled with discipline and groove.

What are some future plans for you now?

I’m lucky to be working a lot. I typically play 10-15 shows a month. I recently moved back to New York from Los Angeles and am playing around the northeast United States a lot. For 2024 I hope to be playing on a more international basis. I also plan to release a new album in late 2024. Beyond that watch for some new videos coming out over the year.

Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?

‘Revolver’ – The Beatles
‘Tarkus’ – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
‘Crosswinds’ – Billy Cobham
‘Let It Bleed’ – The Rolling Stones
‘Trick Of The Tail’ – Genesis

As for new music, I enjoy anything with drummer Dave Weckl on it. He has a new big band project.