The Jazz Organ Scene

USA

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
	Click on the logo to see Adam's tour dates.

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