John Hollenbeck 's biography |  United States

Biography

Percussionist and educator John Hollenbeck was born in the United States in 1968. He graduated as a percussionist from Eastman School of Music. “The Shape of Spirit” was one of his earliest recorded compositions, from 1998. He composed Processional and Desiderata (Challenge Records, 2001), for wind ensemble and orator, for trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, with whom Hollenbeck have studied since 1994. He emerged as a leader in 2001 releasing, within a few months, four albums very different in spirit. Quartet Lucy and No Images feature singer Theo Bleckmann. With him and Gary Versace, he formed the Refuge Trio. Also, he created Claudia Quintet. Later on, the Rising Star Jazz Group was awarded a grant to write a suite. With his Large Ensemble, Hollenbeck has recreated the big band sound. The ensemble’s music has been recorded by the Jazz Big Band Graz. In 2010, Hollenbeck was awarded a grant to work with the National Jazz Orchestra in France. This collaboration gave birth to Shut up and Dance (Bee Jazz). His new projects take jazz as a starting point but also tend to draw a lot from new music and academic tradition. His piece “The Cloud of Unknowing” can be easily related to works by Bach, Stravinsky and Hindemith. Demütin Bitten and Fokmoot are some of his releases.