QUAKE

Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra

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“Among the smartest large ensembles on the scene today . . . . With Quake Mike Holober establishes a new benchmark for modern large ensemble jazz.”
Jan P. Dennis, “Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra,” Audiophile Audition, February 12, 2009

“With his fourth release as a leader, composer/pianist Mike Holober reaffirms his spiraling
“Among the smartest large ensembles on the scene today . . . . With Quake Mike Holober establishes a new benchmark for modern large ensemble jazz.”
Jan P. Dennis, “Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra,” Audiophile Audition, February 12, 2009

“With his fourth release as a leader, composer/pianist Mike Holober reaffirms his spiraling presence within modern jazz circles, to augment his role as a first-call session instrumentalist . . . . Holober's arrangements signify a comprehensive study in contrasts and sound-sculpting . . . . a fruitful balance consisting of heady compositional attributes, and a highly entertaining string of movements that beckons repeated listens.”
Glenn Astarita, “Quake by Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra,” Jazz Review, June 5, 2008

"Duke Ellington's legacy is alive and well with pianist Mike Holober and The Gotham Jazz Orchestra . . . . gorgeous voicings and a perfect amount of flavoring from the soloists . . . refreshing and elegant.”
Elliott Simon, “Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra: Quake (2009),” All About Jazz, March 15, 2009
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  1. 1
    Quake 9:39
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    Twist & Turn 7:42
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    Roc & A Soft Place 11:21
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    Here Comes the Sun 9:21
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    Note to Self 9:56
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    Thrushes 9:50
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    Ruby Tuesday 13:04
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“QUAKE - The sound leaves made when they rustle in the wind, especially in the Fall when they are drying and colorful, particularly when they are aspens.”

Released January 2009
Sons of Sound Records

All compositions by Mike Holober, except Here Comes the Sun (George Harrison) and Ruby Tuesday (Mick Jagger & Keith Richards).

Mike Holober - piano 
Dave Pietro - saxophone 
Jon Gordon - saxophone 
Tim Ries - saxophone 
Charles Pillow - saxophone 
Steve Kenyon - saxophone 
Tony Kadlek - trumpet 
Craig Johnson - trumpet 
Scott Wendholt - trumpet 
Joe Magnarelli - trumpet 
Bruce Eidem - trombone 
Mark Patterson - trombone 
Pete McGuinness - trombone 
Nate Durham - trombone 
John Hebert - acoustic bass 
John Riley - drums

REVIEWS

“Among the smartest large ensembles on the scene today . . . . With Quake Mike Holober establishes a new benchmark for modern large ensemble jazz.” 
Jan P. Dennis, “Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra,” Audiophile Audition, February 12, 2009 

“He’s an expert colorist, in the way that Gil Evans could load a chord or phrase with different combinations of instruments.  Movement - within the chords, sections and ensemble - is a continual source of beauty, like in the exquisite sense of unfolding on “Roc And A Soft Place.”
Kirk Silsbee, Downbeat, vol. 76 Issue 4 (April 2009), p. 64  

“Duke Ellington's legacy is alive and well with pianist Mike Holober and The Gotham Jazz Orchestra . . . . gorgeous voicings and a perfect amount of flavoring from the soloists . . . There is definitely a classicist at work here and the details, subtleties and shades are refreshing and elegant.” 
Elliott Simon, “Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra:  Quake (2009),” All About Jazz, March 15, 2009 

 “The textures of this music are beautifully rendered . . . . In many ways this is stunning, commanding but in a different way.” 
Michael G. Nastos, “Mike Holober & the Gotham Jazz Orchestra,” AllMusic, n.d. 

“Good music – really good music, has the ability to take you places and touch an array of emotions….a thoroughly modern creation.” 
Nick Bussey, “Nick’s Picks:  Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra – Quake,” Icon, April 2009, p. 62 

“With his fourth release as a leader, composer/pianist Mike Holober reaffirms his spiraling presence within modern jazz circles, to augment his role as a first-call session instrumentalist . . . . Holober's arrangements signify a comprehensive study in contrasts and sound-sculpting . . . . a fruitful balance consisting of heady compositional attributes, and a highly entertaining string of movements that beckons repeated listens.” 
Glenn Astarita, “Quake by Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra,” Jazz Review, June 5, 2008 

“With exquisite textures and evocative arrangements that recall Gil Evans, and an Ellingtonian balance between ensemble and individual excellence, Mike Holober and his 17-piece Gotham Jazz Orchestra have evolved a special synthesis . . . . All the originals are superb . . . . quietly surprising individualism and beauty.” 
Perry Tannenbaum, “Mike Holober and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra – Quake,” Jazztimes, May 2009, p. 111 

“From the first notes of the title piece of Quake, Holober impressed with interesting sounds, harmonies and voicings while the band showed extreme precision . . . . the arranging produced a remarkable range of sonic mixtures . . . . He has created music that, upon the hearing, is both beautiful and moving, and it swings.” 
Bud Kopman, “Mike Holober and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra at The Jazz Standard, NYC,” All About Jazz, February 11, 2008 

“Holober’s arrangements convince and his original writing is seriously brilliant. The band kills.” 
David Adler, “The week on disc (36),” Leterland:  Adlermusic.com, n.d. 

 “Mike Holober is among the very best contemporary composers, arrangers and big band leaders and a winner of numerous awards. His new release is Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra, Quake (Sunnyside Records). This is the product of an all-star effort . . . . If large jazz ensembles turn you on, you won't do better than Quake.” 
Jerry Henry, “Music Matters,” The Planet Weekly,  April 6, 2009 

 “Holober's soloists, including himself, are among the best in New York.” 
Doug Ramsey, “CD:  Mike Holober,” Arts Journal, January 15, 2009 

 “Mike Holober’s Gotham Jazz Orchestra is a classic modern example of youngish modern players preferring to come together as an orchestra with a kaleidoscopic variety of sound (a la the Ellington band and Gil Evans) . . . . You’ve never heard George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun” or the Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday” quite like this.” 
Jeff Simon, “Listening Post/Brief reviews of select releases,” Buffalo News