'Developing and nurturing a positive attitude… is the only way through,' jazz bassist Fraser Hollins says

When Montreal-based, Ottawa-raised Fraser Hollins last played a hometown gig, he brought his group Treehouse in March 2022 to the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage. That quartet included two top-tier American jazz stars, pianist Jon Cowherd and drummer Brian Blade, who Hollins befriended during his own New York days two decades ago, plus New Brunswick-based saxophonist Joel Miller.

Hollins returns to Ottawa this weekend to play the Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival. But this time he’ll be surrounded by the Montreal-based peers that make up his other quartet, which he calls The Phoenix. Below, Hollins discusses his new band, its members, and his musical and personal aspirations, no matter with whom he’s playing.

Why is the band called The Phoenix?

As a bird associated with Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, and Hindu mythology, the phoenix represents rebirth, renewal, healing and transformation. Consequently, some of the positive characteristics symbolized by the phoenix are resilience, optimism, compassion and resourcefulness. I try as much as I can to foster these qualities in myself, which can be challenging in difficult moments, and with all of the negative issues facing the world and all its inhabitants. It is my sincere belief that developing and nurturing a positive attitude, especially when facing adversity, is the only way through. My goal is that this band and our music shares that belief thoughtfully and honestly.

Who’s in the band, and why did you choose each of them?

The band is Samuel Blais on alto and baritone saxophones, Carlos Jiménez on guitar, and Rich Irwin on drums.

Samuel is a brilliant interpreter of melodies. He has a deep and precise rhythmic feel, and his intonation is flawless. His versatility on many instruments offers me a broad swath of colours as a composer. His solos abound with a sense of adventure and exploration inside the framework of whatever song he is playing. His reservoir of language, dynamics and control is huge, which allows him a capacity for stretching and developing his ideas.

Carlos always plays with warmth and clarity in his sound. His contribution as a member of the rhythm section is supportive, spontaneous, and interactive. His solos make great use of space and density, and are always melodic above all else, and full of surprise. He has well-honed skills enabling him to tell a story over a short, medium, or long feature.

I have an easy and natural hook-up with Rich, which is my first priority in choosing a drummer. His time is rock-solid, and his groove is deep. He is also one of the most colourful and dynamic drummers I know. He plays with a perfect balance of power and sensitivity, and is adept at many styles and traditions. He is also a master of the shaping of a song, on micro and macro scales.

Tell me about the material you play.

The music has mostly been written with this group in mind. We do perform some of my older tunes, from Aerial (2010) and Treehouse (2019), but I have a book of nine new tunes that I’ve composed in the past year and half that we’ve been together. This book covers a variety of musical ground: swing, drum & bass, Argentinian, Sub-Saharan African, Brazilian, rock. I love lots of different musical styles, and I’ve been fortunate in my career to play in many different bands performing diverse music. This appreciation for a variety of musical cultures has been nurtured very much by these experiences.

What are you going for as a composer? As a bandleader?

I want to offer the audiences that come to our shows a sonic journey. Music is a form of communication, and I hope that through this medium, we touch those that give us their time and attention during a concert.

As a bandleader, I want to give my musicians clear direction and the freedom to express their musical voices. Samuel, Carlos and Rich are fantastic players, and when they breathe life into my songs and shine as individuals, I feel fulfilled and I’m inspired.

The best compliment a musician can receive is, “You sound like a band.” I think this is the result of a situation where a group as whole exceeds the sum of its parts.

What is the value for you of having leading two bands – Phoenix and Treehouse?

Both bands are invaluable vehicles for the performance of the music I write. I have played many of my tunes with each group. On two back-to-back nights with either group, the same song can have a different life. Some nights, I may feel better about my own playing, or that the band gelled more. However, this is my own biased point of view for some renditions and gigs and such, but it’s almost impossible for me to be 100 per cent objective about that unless a show is recorded. Judging is for the practice room, and the approach to performance needs to have the opposite attitude, which could be described as “go with whatever happens and contribute the best you can.”

The four members of Treehouse live in four different cities, with two of us in Canada and two in the U.S. This is a group that I plan to do more with, and hopefully it’s going to happen with some good luck and timing every three to four years.

The four members of The Phoenix all live in the Montreal area. Therefore, this group is one that allows me to develop my writing more consistently, perhaps with more complex structures and songs with longer forms. Also, there is the obvious opportunity to perform regularly, which encourages the composing process, which in turn inspires me to book more gigs with the band.

With The Phoenix and Treehouse, I find myself in a privileged position where I am surrounded by exceptional musicians and people. Being on a stage performing with either band and receiving the energy of the audience and sharing with them has been and remains one of the most joyful experiences of my life.

Fraser Hollins and the Phoenix
Presented by the Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival
When:
Where: Club Saw, Arts Court, 2 Daly Ave.
Tickets: $25 plus fees at ottawajazzfestival.com

phum@postmedia.com