Robert Avel Holz (born February 3, 1958) is an American drummer and composer. Holz was born in Syracuse, New York and resides in Los Angeles, California. He played with jazz guitaristLarry Coryell's trio between 2015 and 2017 appearing at major venues such as Blues Alley in Washington, D.C.; and, has led his own groups: Bob Holz and A Vision Forward, and Bob Holz Band.[1]
Biography
Holz started his jazz career composing and performing in Boston attending the Berklee College of Music, the largest independent college of contemporary American music and jazz worldwide. He then went on to apprentice with Jazz Hall of Fame drummers Billy Cobham and Dave Weckl.[2]
Focusing on Jazz Fusion, Holz has developed a formidable resume of live and studio recordings with a host of luminaries including Larry Coryell, John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty, Ralphe Armstrong, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, and David "Fathead" Newman.[2] Traveling extensively as a band leader (Bob Holz and A Vision Forward) he has released six albums developing his own style of jazz fusion and post bop jazz.
The first album, Higher than the Clouds[4] was released in 2012 featuring songs written by Bob Holz, Fran and Frank Stephanek. Bob Holz can be heard on vocals, drums and percussion. Frank Stepanek is featured on guitars, bass, keyboards and percussion as well as the vocal on "She Can Go Free".
Visions and Friends, the second album by MVD Audio, was recorded in Los Angeles in 2016 and released in 2017. The eleven tracks featured compositions from Holz, Coryell, and keyboardist Billy Steinway.[5]Randy Brecker is featured on trumpet, Alex Machacek on guitar.
On February 8, 2019, Holz released the fourth CD Silverthorne with MVD Audio. The album features Holz on drums, guitarist Mike Stern, trumpeter Randy Brecker, bassist Ralphe Armstrong, saxophonist Brandon Fields (musician), guitarist Jamie Glaser, guitarist Alex Machacek, saxophonist Ada Rovatti, bassist Andrew Ford, keyboardist Billy Steinway and percussionist Alex Acuna.[7]
The fifth CD, Live in New York & L.A. also by MVD Audio, was released in 2020 crossing East and West coasts in production over several years. It features musicians Bob Holz, Brandon Fields, Ralphe Armstrong, Mike Miller, Joey de Leon and Chet Catallo.[8]
Bob Holz's album, Holz-Stathis: Collaborative for MVD Audio, was released in September 2023. Alumni of the Mahavishnu Orchestra: John McLaughlin, Jean-Luc Ponty and Ralphe Armstrong reunited for the first time in decades.[9] Also featured was Latin jazz fusion with percussionists Airto Moreira, Alex Acuña and Joey Heredia.[10][11]
