In the spring of 2021, as the venues begin to reopen, bassist Fraser Hollins and his band, the aptly named Phoeni are now soaring to ever greater heights.
As one of the first performers at our beloved OFF Jazz Festival, this band featuring Hollins on bass and Phoenix on double bass, Hollins on bass, Samuel Blais on reeds, Carlos Jiménez on guitar, Richardson on guitar, Rich Irwin on drums. What an excellent showcase for the immense local talent we seem to have in abundance!
The audience was treated to a graceful and compelling set of Hollins’ original music in the warmly lit hall of the Diese Onze. Wielding his double bass like a musical oracle, he led the way with a line requiring spidery fingering, drawing us into the heart of the piece and the performance. The premiere was in fact a tribute to Stan Lee!
Clearly, the compositions and arrangements for this dynamic group of friends are a testament to his talent, and that’s what made the evening so special. evening.
Each composition varied in genre, mood and texture, allowing this group of seasoned musicians to express themselves freely, telling us many different stories over the course of the evening.
