Dave Holland Quintet, which is headed by one of the most revered bassists in jazz, will play two shows in February at Powers Auditorium, Youngstown.

The group will perform alone at 8 p.m. Feb. 17, while it will join Youngstown State University Jazz Ensemble I at 8 p.m. Feb. 19.

A native of Wolverhampton, England, Holland, 56, played in dance bands and at jazz clubs as a youth. He moved to London and studied with James E. Merritt, principal bassist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Holland played with a number of London jazz players, and then sat in with visiting Americans such as Coleman Hawkins and Joe Henderson.

Miles Davis heard Holland play in 1968 and invited him to join his band.

Holland, who also plays cello, played on classic Davis albums "In a Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew" before leaving in 1970 to form Circle with Chick Corea.

Holland's activities read like a "Who's Who" of jazz for the last 30 years, playing in the studio or in concert with Stan Getz, Thelonious Monk, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Kevin Eubanks, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Betty Carter and Michael Brecker.

His solo albums include the band album "Conference of the Birds," the solo bass album "Emerald Tears" and the solo cello album "Life Cycle."

Holland's has taught at the Banff School, the New England Conservatory of Music and the Creative Music Studio.

He formed the quintet in 1997 and scored Grammy nominations for the albums "Points of View" and "Prime Directive."

Other members of the quintet are trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Billy Kilson.

Holland will hold master classes, but dates and locations have not been set.

Tickets: (330) 744-0264, at the box office and online at: www.youngstownsymphony.
com