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Artists
Mike Holstein - bass
Mike is involved in many many projects :
His newest is :
Bassically Speaking
Bassically Speaking is a relatively new duet combination of two upright string basses performing original compositions based on a multiple array of jazz styles and genres. While usually originating from free form compositions, these performances by Mike Holstein and Ron Brendle are driven by a high level of improvisation and spontaneous communication between the two musicians. The two bassists have distinctive styles of their own and their interactive interplay with free jazz, funk, Latin and “straight ahead” swing are highly entertaining, satisfying and just plain fun. Both musicians will also be performing with Petri Dish.
Also:
Tony Moreno Trio
Cotangent
Petri Dish
Flow
Bassist/composer Mike Holstein has been playing music since early childhood. His first instruments were guitar, violin, piano and drums. It wasn’t until he was attending Western Carolina University that he discovered the bass. His affinity for the instrument was immediately apparent. Within a few years he was performing regularly and became one of the most sought after bassists in the Southeast. From the beginning he was writing his own music. He joined the creative young jazz group, the Taken Back Quartet. This ensemble soon became a fixture on the thriving Asheville music scene. They played to a loyal almost cult-like following.
In 2001, the members of the quartet along with Sharon LaMotte formed the Jazz Composers Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to the presentation and documentation of original, instrumental jazz. The Forum became a mainstay of the local music fabric as Mike and the Taken Back Quartet accompanied guest composers in concert presentations. Mike’s involvement grew with the forum whose activities now include workshops, presentations in grade schools and tours of venues throughout the region. He has presented his own music multiple times as leader and in the capacity of ‘Composer-in-Residence’.
Since 2004, Mike has been a member of the band Cotangent, a New York based group led by pianist/composer Bill Gerhardt. He has played on two recordings with this band, “Stained Glass” and “Thrive”. He also appears on Tony Moreno’s “Trio Music” (Art of Life Records). He has performed with Joe Locke, Ingrid Jensen, Randy Brecker, Frank Kimbrough, Kendra Shank, Ron Horton, Marc Mommaas and Tim Horner among others. A truly gifted musician, Mike is finding himself more in demand than ever as he performs in jazz clubs in New York, throughout the Carolinas and continues to be a force with the Jazz Composers Forum.
Education - Private Instruction:
- Bill Gerhardt - Pianist, Composer - NewYork, NY
- Brent Edstrom - Pianist, Composer - University of North Texas
- Matthew Nichol - Pianist, Composer - Berkley School of Music
- Western Carolina University - Cullowhee, NC
Discography:
- Keith Davis and Mike Holstein - Duo
- Taken Back Quartet - Invitation
- John Alexander - You Need Dis'
- Taken Back Quartet
- Collapsible Recording Studios/Compilation
- Valorie Miller - Ghost Tracks
- Scrappy Hamilton - At Rock Bottom
- Vendetta and the Nines - untitled
- Aaron Price Quartet - untitled
- We Three Swing - 01.01.01
- Frank Southecorvo - Anthem
- We Three Swing - House of Jade
- Cotangent - Stained Glass
- Cotangent - Thrive
• Valorie Miller- Folkstar
• Flow - Wooden Elephant
• Tony Moreno-Trio Music
Some Noteable Venues :
Cornelius Street Cafe, NYC
Sweet Rythym ,NYC
The Grey Eagle, Asheville, NC
The Handlebar, Greenville, NC
The Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, NC
Tha Asheville Community Theatre, Asheville, NC
The Evening Muse Charlotte, NC
The Speakeasy, Winston Salem, NC
Mike Holstein's MY SPACE URL is http://www.myspace.com/mikeholstein