Cruise to the Edge often features surprising treats in its roster. One such Artist this year is Adam Holzman. Many proggers will know Holzman from his work with Steven Wilson, having been featured on Steven‘s acclaimed albums ”The Raven That Refused To Sing,” “Hand.Cannot.Erase,” “4 1/2,” “To The Bone” and “The Future Bites”. You can find out more about his remarkable career in the bio below.
For his sets on the Cruise, Holzman has something unique planned: “I will be doing two solo concerts, featuring piano and synthesizers. Sort of like a “one-man Tangerine Dream,” interspersed with various piano pieces. I will play some music from my solo album “Truth Decay” plus a few jazz classics, but most of the electronic part (and some of the piano part) will be improvised. And…I might have a surprise “special guest“ appear with me near the end of each show!”
Holzman will also be part of the band supporting the Jane Getter Premonition, a cool mix of heavy rock, fusion, and top-notch songwriting which we featured earlier in our series of Artist Spotlights. Be sure to enjoy both Artists on board for a set of engaging and daring artistry.
Keyboard player Adam Holzman was a member of the Miles Davis Band from 1985 to 1989. He performed with the trumpet legend in more than 200 concerts worldwide. He can be heard on the albums “Tutu,” “Live Around the World,” “Rubber Band” and “The Complete Montreux” box set (all on Warner Bros.). In 1988 he became Miles‘ musical director. For his session and live performances, Adam was praised by the New York Times for his “innovative keyboard work,” and by Keyboard magazine as “one of the most promising synth soloists.” Adam has also toured and recorded extensively with Grover Washington, Jr., Wayne Shorter, Chaka Khan, Steps Ahead, Wallace Roney, Michel Petrucciani and many others.
Adam has released 11 albums as both a solo artist and with his band, Adam Holzman & Brave New World. His most recent studio album of hard-edged jazz-rock is titled “Truth Decay.” The album features many guest artists, including appearances by members of the Steven Wilson band and Adam’s longtime New York-based group, Brave New World. A follow up live album, “The Last Gig,” was released in 2021. Adam has also begun a new project with Nick Beggs and Craig Blundell called Trifecta. Their album “Fragments” was recently released on Kscope to great acclaim.
Adam has been nominated for ‘best electric jazz keyboard player’ several times by Keyboard Magazine. In 2007 he was awarded by the Jazz Journalists Association for his work co-producing (with Bob Belden) the Miles Davis box set “The Cellar Door Sessions” (Sony). Adam is now getting attention in the rock world, placing high in the ‘Best Keyboard Player’ category in Classic Rock/Prog Magazine polls for the past several years.
