With Freedom of Art (Holthouse, 2026), Corcoran Holt releases his second album as a leader. Perhaps best known for his long tenure in Kenny Garrett’s band, it has been over eight years since Holt’s debut, The Mecca (self-release, 2018). In the time between albums, the bassist, composer, and arranger has endured family loss, a worldwide pandemic, and the socio-political and economic chaos we all share. Freedom touches on all of these issues by emphasizing transformation, love of family, and love of the freedom inherent in jazz. In exploring these themes, Holt’s collaborators include saxophonist Stacy Dillard, trumpeter Josh Evans, pianist and fellow Garrett band member Benito Gonzalez, and drummers Kweky Sumbry and Lewis Nash.
Holt began composing the music on Freedom during the pandemic. With the destruction coronavirus caused in many families, it is perhaps unsurprising that family is a major focus on the album, whether the loss of his father Ibrahim, the love of his mother, the support of his wife, or the joy of raising children. “Theme for Ma” with Holt on the bowed bass opens the program. His mother’s voice is heard over the bass and piano, an effect that is a bit jarring as an opener for the record. Later, we hear “Rae Ray,” a tribute to both the legendary Ray Brown and Holt’s wife, Raven. Pizzicato bass runs evidence the influence of the former on Holt and it works well with terrific drumming in this trio rendering. There are also contributions from Holt’s family in accordance with this central theme. “Affirmations” is another track with voice-overs, in this case, those of his children reciting their daily affirmations, a practice of empowerment and self-love. The closing track, “To My Dear Ones,” presents a poem penned by Holt’s late father, as recited by Sharp Radway, preserving his spirit through words and sound. Bradway also returns for the brief “Raven’s Call.” As stated, while the artist’s intent is undoubtedly sincere, the sampled voices again distract from the potent instrumental tracks underneath.
Another major theme in the album is Holt’s personal journey, expressed both geographically and emotively. “Breathe In Peace (Krahyalla)” finds the leader on electric bass and Gonzalez on Rhodes in an alternating vibrant and reflective take that tracing Holt’s journey from New York to D.C. and, ultimately, to Phoenix, where he currently serves as Assistant Professor of Jazz Bass at Arizona State University. Dillard blows fiercely on tenor, while trumpeter Evans brings his usual blistering attack on this standout track. Toward the end, Holt switches to the upright, delivering a noteworthy outro. The rollicking “Transition Blues” is another standout. Dillard and Evans blow in unison over Gonzalez’s emphatic comping, before Dillard launches into orbit, followed by Evans’s soaring excursion. Gonzalez is especially percussive in as Holt plucks vigorously during the drums’ percolation.
A third thread running through Freedom is Hot’s indebtedness to mentors and the sheer joy of playing music with longtime collaborators. “Hello” interprets a Milt Jackson ballad composition with sensitive turns from Dillard and Evans and impressive arco work from Holt. In a similar vein, Kenny Garrett’s “Kiss to the Skies” is a spiritual meditation on ancestors and loved ones who have transitioned, featuring tender soprano saxophone and spirited trumpet. On the up-tempo burner,“Flatbush,” a composition by Gonzalez himself, the pianist and bassist celebrate their deep musical brotherhood forged through years of touring together with Garrett.
Throughout Freedom, Stacy Dillard delivers consistently inventive solos, while Josh Evans’s virtuosic trumpet work adds flaring intensity. Perhaps the best proof of such is “Free,” which more than lives up to its title with the boundaryless playing from all.
The album’s fifteen tracks are unusual for a jazz album. And, honestly, they don’t all measure up. But those that do are exceptional. Holt has gathered a group of white-hot players, who attain ‘liftoff’ on several occasions.
‘Freedom of Art’ is out now on Holthouse. It can be purchased on Bandcamp.
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