Search - Holly Hofmann :: Duo Personality

A comfort zone for Holly; a treat for us

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 02/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Holly Hofmann has recorded many duo tracks on several albums, teaming up her flute with piano, guitar, or bass. On this 1992 album, she does some of each. Seven of the 10 tracks are duos, and the rest are trios. This environment allows talented, empathic musicians to display the subtle sophistication that makes for inspired jazz.

Although the instrumentation consists solely of flute and one or two rhythm, don't make the mistake of thinking it's all slow, quiet, and laid-back. There are some tunes that fit that description ("A Child Is Born," "Embraceable You," and "You Don't Know What Love Is"), but you'll also find a surprising amount of energy in "Duality," "J.P.'s Afternoon," "Dearly Beloved," "Hide and Seek," "Speedball," and even in "Summertime." There's also a driving blues tune called "Nigh Roby Getaway."

This is definitely a five-star choice for those who dig jazz flute. It's hard to think of another jazz flutist with a history of great recordings who is still out there producing, so let's be glad that we have Holly."

Great Jazz Chamber Music....

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 09/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"by an excellent bop oriented flutist who first started playing the instrument when she was 5 years of age. Seven of the 10 selections are performed as duos utilizing flute and piano (Mike Wofford), or flute and bass (Bob Magnusson), or flute and guitar (either Ron Satterfield or Mundell Lowe). The remaining three are trio cuts using flute , piano or guitar, and bass. The result is some very top form jazz in a variety of tempos. The flute is a great jazz instrument, being light and unobtrusive, yet capable of conveying many different mood settings. This gal ought to be better known!.......(is there a glass ceiling in jazz for female instrumentalists?). She should rank as a key player whose versatility and talent is deserving of comparison to Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws or Frank Wess.I particularly enjoyed a Lee Morgan composition, "Speedball", and a Mundell Lowe original, "Nigh Roby Getaway" as well as the standards "Summertime", "A Child Is Born", "Dearly Beloved" and "You Don't Know What Love Is".Anyhow, if you like really good small group bop, particularly featuring the flute, you should dig this one!"