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The 4th of July
“The 4th of July”
Music & lyrics by Mike Holober
On the 4th of July 2017 I started a song inspired by my childhood reminiscences of the holiday, and my conflicted feelings about the state of our society at that time. I promised myself I would complete it for the next July 4th so I could share. The song languished for the next few years, and was finally finished in December 2020. I'd hoped that it would lose some relevance after the November 3rd, 2020 election, but sadly it seemed as relevant as ever. Now on July 4th, 2024, it seems even more relevant and I find it difficult to celebrate. Hopefully, when I post this on July 4th,#jamilestaevie #mikeholober #mikemcguirkbass #dennismackrel #marvinstamm 2025 I'll be able to do so with a renewed sense of childlike enthusiasm, love, hope, and maybe even patriotism.
This was a pandemic project - pandemic isolation, pandemic piano tuning, pandemic haircut.
Voice: Jamile Staevie Ayres
Trumpet: Marvin Stamm
Piano: Mike Holober
Bass: Mike McGuirk
Drums: Dennis Mackrel
Video Editor: Eli Berliner
Photo Credits
Film Excerpts: Courtesy of ETL&M Inc
Fireworks Stills: Rena Schild Photography
Clouds and Mountains: Mike Holober
Vintage Still: Hall Family Collection
News Stills: Shutterstock
Featuring Holober's GRAMMY-nominated Gotham Jazz Orchestra, soloists include Jason Rigby (tenor saxophone), Ben Kono (alto saxophone), Charles Pillow (alto saxophone), Marvin Stamm (trumpet), Jared Schonig (drums), Nir Felder (guitar), Jody Redhage Ferber (cello) and James Shipp (percussion). The ensemble is joined for the occasion by tenor saxophonist Chris Potter, bassist John Patitucci, and the up-and-coming Brazilian vocalist Jamile Staevie Ayres.
“This Rock We’re On: Imaginary Letters feels like vespers sung for the Anthropocene before night falls.”
— Terry Tempest Williams
Due out June 14, 2024 via Palmetto Records, "This Rock We're On: Imaginary Letters" draws inspiration from the natural world and the insights of environmental authors, artists, and activists such as Ansel Adams, Rachel Carson, Sigurd Olson, Wendell Berry, Terry Tempest Williams, and Robin Wall Kimmerer.