Dave Holland Octet debuts with “Pathways”

The debut recording for the Dave Holland Octet has been announced, with a release date of March 23, 2010.

Pathways features Holland along with Chris Potter (tenor, soprano), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Steve Nelson (vibes, marimba), and Nate Smith (drums). Added to the front-line are other Holland collaborators Antonio Hart (alto saxophone), Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), and Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone). The album was recorded at Holland’s favorite New York spot, the legendary Birdland.

Holland is no stranger to ensembles, having recorded four previous albums as a leader, with his quintet and big band, including Not for Nothing, Extended Play: Live at Birdland, What Goes Around and Overtime.

“I had always loved the sound of the Duke Ellington small groups, often with a five horn front-line plus the rhythm section,” Holland said. “The combination of two brass and three saxes gives access to a wide range of textures and colors and allows a composer to evoke the sound of a big band or create the more intimate sound of a small group.”

Pathways will be available in a standard CD edition and as a download.

Preview and download Pathways:

For more info, check out Holland’s web site.