Vocalist/composer
Molly Holm, with Her Unmistakable Band, explores the multicultural crossroads of improvised music through original compositions, straight-ahead and modal jazz tunes and traditional folk songs. Molly's music, often intertwined with the elements of North Indian raga, experimental vocals, or playful free-form improvisation, also reveals the rhythmic and note-bending influences inherited from the music of the African diaspora.
The Unmistakable Band is Frank Martin, piano; Jeff Chambers, bass; Deszon Claiborne, drums; and Charles McNeal, saxophones.
Molly Holm is an unconventional singer and a composer who blends jazz, improvisation, and North Indian Raga, reflecting her early studies in North Indian raga with master vocalist Pandit Pran Nath. For nearly a decade, Molly was a key member of Bobby McFerrin's original Voicestra. She has also performed extensively with distinguished artists in world and avant-garde music including: minimalist composer/keyboardist Terry Riley (Khayal); tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain (“Rapt, No Strings”); choreographer June Watanabe (E.O. 9066); and George Coates Performance Works (Actual Shō). Having previously composed the music for Marcus Gardley's play “This World in a Woman’s Hands,” Molly was invited to collaborate with African-American Roots Music vocalist Linda Tillery to create the vocal score for Gardley’s acclaimed piece, “black odyssey”—a smash hit for California Shakespeare Theater's 2017 season and back by popular demand in September 2018!
Molly's 2013 CD, Permission, has been described as musically left leaning and “edgy and defiant.” Produced by pianist/arranger Frank Martin, and featuring five of Molly's original compositions, this “not-your-standard-jazz” CD is infused with the wide-ranging talents of Famoudou Don Moye, Jeff Chambers, Larry Schneider, Deszon Claiborne, Wayne Wallace, Antonia Minnecola and other special guests. Molly also sings on Indo-fusion saxophonist George Brooks' Night Spinner CD where she penned the lyrics to his composition “The Light Never Leaves Your Eyes,” dedicated to Pran Nath. mollyholm.com
All About Jazz described Molly’s CD: “Edgy and defiant ... on the cutting edge of jazz vocals.”
In his blog, Jazz Station, Arnaldo DeSouteiro wrote: “‘Permission’ is an exercise in creativity and a lesson in adventurous music. It’s a completely unpredictable album, full of surprises on each and every track.”
Cost: $22.00