Bill writes charts that average 8 minutes long. From start to finish the ideas all weave together, some lasting like 3 minutes per "theme". His use of ensemble unison is so simple yet genius, because it's Bill Holman. He is any arranger's hero. As far as I know, his band still rehearses every week in LA.
A national treasure! At this writing in early Nov, 2017, Bill still going at the age of 90. A unique way of breaking down and re-arranging melodies - his stuff from the 50s still sounds new and daring.
In my jr high and high school days, growing up in West Virginia, New Orleans DJ Dick Martin was one of my lifelines to jazz. By the time I finished high school in '59, I knew who Bill was. I found "Big Band In A Jazz Orbit" in a closeout bin my first summer back from college, and soon after his writing for Maynard's '50s band. By then, he had become one of my very favorite writer for big bands. Sixty years later, he still is. He's a WORLD treasure.
Bill writes charts that average 8 minutes long. From start to finish the ideas all weave together, some lasting like 3 minutes per "theme". His use of ensemble unison is so simple yet genius, because it's Bill Holman. He is any arranger's hero. As far as I know, his band still rehearses every week in LA.
A national treasure! At this writing in early Nov, 2017, Bill still going at the age of 90. A unique way of breaking down and re-arranging melodies - his stuff from the 50s still sounds new and daring.
Extremely humble. An unsung genius.
In my jr high and high school days, growing up in West Virginia, New Orleans DJ Dick Martin was one of my lifelines to jazz. By the time I finished high school in '59, I knew who Bill was. I found "Big Band In A Jazz Orbit" in a closeout bin my first summer back from college, and soon after his writing for Maynard's '50s band. By then, he had become one of my very favorite writer for big bands. Sixty years later, he still is. He's a WORLD treasure.