picture of Adam Holzman
 
photo by Diana Seifert
 

 
Adam Holzman
Adam (*1958) grew up in California and started classical piano lessons at age 12, but his main influences were "The Doors", Leon Russell and Dr. John. He started getting into progressive rock and jazz-rock during the late 70s, which in turn led to a growing interest in jazz.
 
"First I was influenced by groups like 'Emerson, Lake & Palmer' or 'Yes'. When I heard Chick Corea, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Billy Cobham I got completely turned on to jazz," he says today. "But I only started getting serious about jazz harmonies when I was in my late 20s. Even today there are still some gaps in my jazz knowledge. But I do not consider my musical role to be a keeper of jazz traditions. I try to make entertaining music today, influenced by rock, jazz-rock, funk and a lot of other styles and ideas."
 
One of his first big jobs was a new recording of the opera "Carmina Burana" by composer Carl Orff, led by Ray Manzarek of the "Doors" and produced by Philipp Glass. He then played with various groups including the group "Fents", which Adam co-founded before coming to the attention of singer Randy Hall.
 
Miles Davis first hired Adam for some keyboard work for "Tutu" and then as second keyboarder for the live tour that followed. While Miles Davis hired and fired musicians at an enormous rate during these years, Adam Holzman actually stayed for almost 5 years. "I must have done something right", Holzman says today. "I was so nervous in the beginning - I didn't think I would survive the first tour." Miles later promoted him to "musical director", when Robert Irving left the band in 1988.
 
After one more year Adam moved on - to work with Michel Petrucciani, who asked him in 1989 to join him for a cooperation to which he also contributed several compositions. During the early 90s, Adam also worked for Chaka Khan, Robben Ford, the band "Kelvynator" and many others. He also founded a steady live band ("Brave New World").
 
In 1995 Adam appeared in the US with Brave New World and continued occasionally performing with Michel Petrucciani - but was also a member of Wayne Shorters group, which toured worldwide in fall of 1995. From 1997 to 2000, Adam recorded and toured with the late, great sax player, Grover Washington. Over the past several years of the new millenium, he has continued working with his own band, Brave New World, releasing Jazz Rocket Science in 2005 and four live CD recordings as part of the "Alive" series. Adam has also been producing new Miles Davis projects for Sony and continues to play side gigs with Droid and the Jane Getter band.
contact:
homepage: adamholzman.com
on tour Click on the logo to see Adam's tour dates.

 

Discography [9]
In A Loud Way
Manhattan Records CDP 7243 8 27299 2 1
released 1992
recorded May 1991 in New York City/USA
Adam Holzman, synthsizers, piano
Jimi Tunnell, guitar
Kenny Garrett, alto sax
Daryll Jones, bass
Steve Logan, bass
Mino Cinelu, percussion
Dennis Chambers, drums
Overdrive
Lipstick Records LIP 89025-2
released 1994
recorded 1991 through 1992 in New York, NY/USA
Adam Holzman, guitar, keyboards, piano, synthesizer, percussion
Hiram Bullock, guitar
David Phelps, guitar
Jimi Tunnell, guitar
Drew Zingg, guitar
Steve Logan, bass, vocals
Van Romaine, drums
Manifesto
Lipstick Records LIP 8933-2
released 1995
recorded March to April 1995 in New York, NY/USA
Adam Holzman, Fender Rhodes, keyboards, piano, synthesizer
Michael 'Dino' Campbell, guitar
Jane Getter, guitar
Mitch Stein, guitar
Aaron Heick, soprano sax, alto sax
Freddie Cash, bass
Ju Ju House, congas, drums, percussion, voices
Vibe
NYC Records NYC 6012 2
released 1995
recorded in New York, NY/USA
Donny McCaslin, soprano sax, tenor sax
Aaron Heick, alto sax
Tim Hagans, trumpet
Michael Cain, piano, synthesizer
Adam Holzman, organ, synthesizer
Rachel Z, piano, synthesizer
Mike Mainieri, vibes
Victor Bailey, bass
James Genus, bass
Reggie Washington, bass
Clarence Penn, drums
The Big Picture
Escapade Music ESC 63653-2
recorded January 1997 in New York City/USA
Adam Holzman, organ, Wurlitzer piano, clavinet, synthesizer
Aaron Heick, soprano sax, alto sax, alto flute, bass clarinet
Jane Getter, guitar
Allen Burroughs, guitar
Mike Campbell, guitar, voice
Freddie Cash jr., bass
Ju Ju House, drums, percussion
Mitch Steinguitar, vocals
Michael "Dino" Campbell, vocals
No Room For Argument
Stretch Records SCD-9033-2
recorded March/April 2000 in Waterford, CT/USA
Wallace Roney, trumpet
Antoine Roney, soprano sax, tenor sax, bass clarinet
Steve Hall, soprano sax, tenor sax, bass clarinet
Adam Holzman, piano, organ
Geri Allen, piano, synthesizer
Buster Williams, bass
Lenny White, drums
JazzRocketScience
Nagel Heyer Records 2060
recorded in New York City/USA
Adam Holzman, keyboards
Aaron Heick, soprano sax, alto sax
Alan Burroughs, guitar
Mitch Stein, guitar
Freddy Cash jr., bass
Alex Elena, drums
Spork
Big Fun Productions 1234
recorded in New York, NY/USA
Adam Holzman, keyboards
Aaron Heick, sax
Mitch Stein, guitar
Freddie Cash, bass
Abe Fogle, drums
Truth Decay
Big Fun Productions
recorded November/December 2017 in New York/USA
Adam Holzman, piano, keyboards
Franz Hackl, trumpet
Ofer Assaf, soprano sax
Theo Travis, flute
Steven Wilson, guitar
Jane Getter, guitar
Freddy Cash, jr., bass
Laurence Cottle, bass
Mark Egan, bass
Stefano Olivado, harmonica, bass
Craig Blundell, drums
Abe Fogle, drums
Davide Raggazoni, drums
Nick Beggs, vocals
Randy McStine, vocals

 
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