DERWYN HOLDER is a composer in the jazz and classical genres. He has returned to classical composing following a long career in jazz. His Concerto for Guitar and Classical Orchestra was premiered on August 12, 2012 by the Baroque Orchestra of NJ with soloist Celil Refik Kaya. Holder has recently finished his Symphony No. 1 Medicare in thanks for the healthcare he has received.
More than 35 of his compositions have been performed and recorded in the U.S. and Europe. He holds a BA in Composition from Tufts and an M.A. from American University. His teachers have been: saxophone, Edward Hamilton, Otto Fritche, Tony Viola; bass, H. Stevens Brewster; composition, Ken MacKillop, Gordon Smith, Esther Ballou, Kurt Roger, and Elliot Carter.
His first performed classical work, String Quartet No.1, was included in the International Music Festival held in Washington, DC. It was followed by a reading of his Evolution of a Choral Theme by the National Symphony. Columbia Music Company, owned by renowned guitar master Sophecles Pappas, published Holder's Sonatina and Six Modern Preludes for guitar. The Sonatina was performed in the U.S, Europe, and South America by Pappas protégé, Larry Snitzler. Encouraged by the Washington guitar community including Snitzler, John Marlow, and Regis Ferruza, he completed the first version of his guitar concerto.
Guitarist Laurindo Almeida saw an early version of the guitar concerto score and immediately called Mr. Holder from LA, booking him as a bassist for a series of performances on the east coast, saying "anyone who can write like that, I want to play with." Soon afterwards, Mr. Holder shifted his focus to his burgeoning jazz career as a bassist, pianist and jazz composer.
During his jazz career, Holder has appeared in New York at the Blue Note, Birdland, Sweet Basil, and Visiones. In DC, at the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Top O’Foolery, Showboat Lounge, One Step Down, Harold’s Rogue & Jar, and King of France Tavern. And in Berlin at the A Trane and the Be Bop. He has played with a broad spectrum of jazz artists including:
More than 35 of his compositions have been performed and recorded in the U.S. and Europe. He holds a BA in Composition from Tufts and an M.A. from American University. His teachers have been: saxophone, Edward Hamilton, Otto Fritche, Tony Viola; bass, H. Stevens Brewster; composition, Ken MacKillop, Gordon Smith, Esther Ballou, Kurt Roger, and Elliot Carter.
His first performed classical work, String Quartet No.1, was included in the International Music Festival held in Washington, DC. It was followed by a reading of his Evolution of a Choral Theme by the National Symphony. Columbia Music Company, owned by renowned guitar master Sophecles Pappas, published Holder's Sonatina and Six Modern Preludes for guitar. The Sonatina was performed in the U.S, Europe, and South America by Pappas protégé, Larry Snitzler. Encouraged by the Washington guitar community including Snitzler, John Marlow, and Regis Ferruza, he completed the first version of his guitar concerto.
Guitarist Laurindo Almeida saw an early version of the guitar concerto score and immediately called Mr. Holder from LA, booking him as a bassist for a series of performances on the east coast, saying "anyone who can write like that, I want to play with." Soon afterwards, Mr. Holder shifted his focus to his burgeoning jazz career as a bassist, pianist and jazz composer.
During his jazz career, Holder has appeared in New York at the Blue Note, Birdland, Sweet Basil, and Visiones. In DC, at the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Top O’Foolery, Showboat Lounge, One Step Down, Harold’s Rogue & Jar, and King of France Tavern. And in Berlin at the A Trane and the Be Bop. He has played with a broad spectrum of jazz artists including:
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Clark Terry
Steve Allen Bucky Pizzarelli John Pizzarelli Shirley Horn Linda Hopkins Earl Coleman Sonny Stitt James Moody Zoot Sims |
Charlie Ventura
Frank Wess Buddy Tate Billy Eckstine Johnny Hartman Maxine Sullivan Gloria Lynne Cassandra Wilson Charlie Byrd |
Laurindo Almeida
Barney Kessel Tiny Grimes Kenny Davern Charles Braugham Danny Gatton Art Monroe Joel Futterman Mack Goldsbury |