——Collaborations——-

TWO TO THE BAR – NEVILLE DICKIE AND DANNY COOTS

The Holland & Coots “brand” continues to grow and evolve. The latest incarnation features the aforementioned duo adding the craziest bassist on this (or any other) planet, Steve Pikal! Oh yeah, things are about to get nuts.

The word GROOVUS! is actually derived from an early form of Latin – created long before the Indo-European folks got ahold of it and turned it into something decent – that, loosely translated means, “Holy crap that swings!” At least that’s what Danny Coots tells us (apparently his Latin teacher, Mrs. Christopher, was quite the story-teller).

Their debut album, All We Know, features an absolute cornucopia of jazz-related styles that will keep even the most hardened jazz critic interested. Our dear friend and Jazz Aficionado, Michael Steinman, wrote in his liner notes, “Brian, Steve, and Danny – heartfelt tumblers and jugglers – create MUSIC that makes us feel. We remember sunrises, cool water, grateful breathing, hugs. The Sages describe many routes to enlightenment, but their advice is really “Find your Groove and Groove with others who Understand.” The universe has its own joyous rhythm – we feel it in the womb, in the waves. Count Basie had it even when he had to ride a scooter onstage. GROOVUS is so well-named; this trio sends the right vibrations without ever frightening the new puppy.”

Seriously, what grooves better than that!

GROOVUS!

Groovus. “Exciting, exhilarating, and exhausting!” is probably the best (and most alliterative) way to describe this mighty trio. It began with Danny Coots and Brian Holland getting together after performing individually on the Jazz and Ragtime circuits honing their skills on drums and piano, respectively. Since joining forces, they’ve been on a mission to introduce audiences all over the world to their style of music and fun. With a delightful mix of jazz, blues, stride, boogie, pop, and ragtime, Holland & Coots have created something for every taste. Then the duo added bassist Steve Pikal and created Groovus, which made their performances even more fun than before – and, yes, it’s possible!

The Holland Coots Jazz Quintet

“Holland and Coots take you on a musical journey that radiates joyful ebullience one moment and wistful lyricism the next.”
– Bryan Wright, owner Rivermont Records“[They] should come with seat belts and a warning about excessive amounts of white-knuckle, adrenaline-charged, exuberant effervescence!”
– Tony Caramia, Director of Pedagogy Studies, Eastman School of Music, regarding Holland, Coots, and Spitznagel’s recording “Three’s Company”“[This] is … piano music at its best, presented in great variety, performed by superb musicians…”
– Max Morath, regarding Holland, Coots, and Wright’s recording “Live from Buenos Aires”“…the band made magic happen, song after song.”
– Michael Steinman (Jazz Lives), regarding the Holland-Coots Jazz Quintet

Dalton Ridenhour & Danny Coots Duo

Big B.A.D. Rhythm

l-r. Sam Rocha (bass/vocals), Pat Bergeson (guitar/harmonica), Andy Reiss (guitar), Danny Coots (drums), Brian Holland (piano)

GROOVUS!

l-r. Brian Holland (piano), Steve Pikal, (bass), Danny Coots (drums)

HCJQ RECORDS “TRIBUTE TO FATS WALLER AND HIS RHYTHM”

HCJQ 2019; l-r. Danny Coots (drums) Jacob Zimmerman (reeds), Marc Caparone (cornet), Steve Pikal (bass), Brian Holland (piano)

MY, MY! YES, YES! The wait is over! The band that took Durango, Colorado, by storm last March has now triumphantly returned from Music City in Nashville, Tennessee, to take on the world! With the assistance of mild-mannered part-time barista / mixologist / recording engineer extraordinaire, Derek Garten, the band laid down their debut album – a tribute to arguably the greatest musical personality of the 20th century, Thomas “Fats” Waller – in what has been labeled the “…mostest swingingest studio session ever!”