Corcoran Holt Spirituality (Episode 50)

Corcoran is one of the most influential musicians on the music scene today. His connection to the art form and the people is unparalleled. We had a great time dissecting the relationships between life, love, music and fatherhood. When you listen to this podcast do your absolute best to hold on to the words and emotions that he expresses so eloquently. Enjoy the show.

Connect with Corcoran Here: https://www.corcoranholt.com/

Connect with Darrian Here: https://www.SecondLineArts.org

Bio:

Corcoran Holt, a son of Washington, DC, began playing djembe and other West African percussion at the age of 4 as a member of Wose Dance Company. As a keeper of the rhythm, Corcoran began his study of upright bass at age 10 with the renowned DC Youth Orchestra (DCYOP). Soon he learned that his great- grandfather, with whom he shares a birthday, was a bass player who grew up in High Point, NC and lived next door to a very young John Coltrane. Legend has it that he gave Trane music lessons. Corcoran feels called to the bass and his work is about honoring the ancestors.

While continuing his classical training at DCYOP, Corcoran attended the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC from 1996 to 2000 where he studied classical bass with Carolyn Kellock, and jazz music with educators Davey Yarborough, the late great Keter Betts and Steve Novasel. During these high school years, Corcoran realized his affinity for the jazz music and honed his performance skills by working frequently on the Washington DC jazz scene.

Always performing, he completed a Bachelors of Arts in Jazz Studies from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2004 where he studied bass with Michael Bowie. He received his Masters degree in Jazz Studies from Queens College in New York City in 2006 under the tutelage of Buster Williams, Michael Phillip Mossman, and Antonio Hart.

Corcoran has been blessed and has worked with numerous pioneers and greats of the music such as Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, Harold Mabern, Steve Turre, Billy Hart, Kenny Garrett, Javon Jackson, and Wycliffe Gordon to name a few.

Corcoran is currently the regular bassist with the world renown alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Holt performs regularly at many of the top music festivals and venues around the world. Some have included The North Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, The Village Vanguard, The Blue Note (NYC Tokyo Milano), and Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola to name a few. Corcoran has performed throughout North, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. In 2009, he toured the Middle East as a Jazz Ambassador representing the United States under the US State Department. In September 2010, he traveled part of The Rhythm Roads tour with Nasar Abadey and Supernova to East Africa, a collaboration between the U.S. State Department and Jazz at the Lincoln Center.

Corcoran is honored to have been a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Bass Competition in 2009.

Currently Corcoran leads his own group and has a new release titled “The Mecca”. He is also a part of three grammy nominated recordings, Kenny Garrett’s 2013 recording “Pushing the World Away” recorded on Mac Avenue Records, Jamison Ross’s 2014 recording “Jamison” recorded on Concord records, and The Baylor Project’s Recording “The Journey” 2017.

Corcoran also works with numerous bands throughout the world and is based in NYC. He also serves as a djembe drummer/music therapist at Greater Harlem Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where he plays for his elders.