Composer/performer John Hollenbeck talks with TGN

Earlier this week, I got the chance to sit down with John Hollenbeck.  Hollenbeck and his group, the Claudia Quintet came to town to perform in the Ear Shot Jazz Festival.  Even though he was playing as part of a jazz festival, Hollenbeck’s music can’t be easily described as jazz nor can it be categorized as classical music.  The Ear Shot performance was the culminating concert of a West Coast Tour.

In addition to his work with the Claudia Quintet, Hollenbeck was also one of the performers who premiered Meredith Monk’s “Songs of Ascension” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music late last month.  Hollenbeck celebrates the release of his new CD later in the month with a performance and release party at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge.  

I talked with Hollenbeck for over forty minutes – longer than either of expected – I have divided the interview into a couple of parts. I hope you enjoy.