Will Holshouser

Offering a new definition of experimental jazz on his debut record, Will Holshouser creates a fascinating combination of styles to showcase his accordion playing. Teaming with trumpeter Ron Horton and bassist Dave Phillips, his efforts on Reed Song were heavily admired in the jazz community when the album dropped. Before that point, Holshouser had worked with a variety of artists, including Dave Douglas, Klezmer Madness, and the Raymond Scott Orchestrette. Although he didn't stop collaborating with others, his debut was an important step in the evolution of his playing. His formal training in both Cajun and Creole music started in 1990, when the musician received a grant to study the genres. Fascinated by the role of accordion in music, he began spreading an awareness of the instrument in his work with many jazz circles. This led to many collaborations, starting most notably with his effort in the folk band Drink Me. After that, a variety of appearances led him to pursue his solo album, which he finished and released in 2002. ~ Bradley Torreano, Rovi