Freedom of Art is an extraordinary recording by bassist, composer, and family man Corcoran Holt, the Musical Director of the JLP Trio. It captures, in sound, the multi-layered frequencies emanating from the core of his soulful being. Below, we share the liner notes written for the date by the Rev. Millard Southern.

Since its inception, one of the most important characteristics of the American art form known as jazz is freedom. This principle has long been held as a profound human achievement because, as artists show us, it moves us from pain to power. This freedom—improvisational in nature and undeniable when played—is what has given the American scene its bold strength in difficult moments and its ability to endure. Jazz musicians show us, in no uncertain terms, that freedom shapes and influences art and culture in countless ways, embracing creativity, experimentation, joy, and hope. It is a call-and-response demanding truth-to-power, even in these present times.

While early artists were denied freedom and the right to be heard, this music rose to define a new way of being in the world. Every note was not a negation of being but an affirmation of life itself, refusing to surrender its own breath. Freedom in jazz is more than sound and notes—it's liberating, passionate, unrelenting. A stubborn refusal to die. It pushes past the realities of this world into a space that is both free and uplifting. It cries. It hollers. It protests. It loves. It strives to make real what the writer Albert Murray called “stomping with elegance.” It invites the listener on a journey in pursuit of a shared history that we all can feel.

Bassist, composer, and arranger Corcoran Holt bears witness to this freedom in his brilliant sophomore release, Freedom of Art. Surrounded by master musicians, this album is a personal statement that evokes the courage and conviction not merely to endure, but to be inspired and uplifted even in the face of hardship. The album is aptly titled because Freedom of Art carries the listener through Holt’s personal journey—reflecting the transformations he has lived and felt since his last release.

Corcoran Holt, photo by Donn Thompson

What we hear in his music is personal testimony made real: the loss of his dear father, who instilled in him values of love and appreciation; the strength of his mother, who continues to surround him with joy; the enduring love of his wife, Raven, whose support is full of kindness and humility; and the experience of raising children, witnessing their learning and growth. From Holt, we learn that family, friends, and close musical collaborators have shaped him deeply. It is this transformation that he offers to us.

While sheltering during the 2020 pandemic, Holt began composing music drawn from these lived experiences. In addition, years of touring and performing with great artists—particularly jazz master Kenny Garrett—deepened his artistic voice and perspective.

Theme for Ma opens with a somber bass solo followed by the nurturing voice of his mother, Kathy English Holt. Her optimism and steady love have guided him through his most difficult moments, and we hear that grounding clearly through the bassline and the tender accompaniment of the piano.

Breathe in Peace reflects Holt’s transitions from New York to D.C. and ultimately to Phoenix, where he currently teaches and performs. A walking bassline anchors the groove, supported by a funky, hip Rhodes and driving drums. The tune rises in intensity as Muskegon-born tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard delivers a fresh, inventive solo, followed by Josh Evans, whose high, flaring tones reveal his virtuoso depth.

Transition Blues moves with vital force, reminding the listener that freedom lives in sound itself. The band swings effortlessly as each musician rises with joyful energy. Pianist Benito Gonzalez—renowned for his work across the jazz world—swings with ecstatic clarity, supporting each soloist with well-balanced phrases full of anticipation and good-time spirit.

Golson Calling is a tribute to jazz master Benny Golson. Since he first picked up the bass, Holt has admired the great masters for their care and concern. As Golson speaks here, he offers deep empathy and wisdom for the Holt family.

Hello (Milt Jackson) is one of Holt’s favorite tunes from his college days. Drawn early to beautiful melodies, he opens the track with a bass solo and delicate brushwork on the drums. Dillard’s solo is soft and alluring, reminiscent of Lester Young’s warm tonal elegance.

Rae Ray honors two important inspirations: Ray Brown and Holt’s wife Raven. Brown’s influence is unmistakable in Holt’s lines, while Raven’s playful spirit shines throughout this medium-tempo tune.

Kiss to the Skies, written by Kenny Garrett, honors ancestors and loved ones who have transitioned. It is a spiritual piece evoking warmth, beauty, and togetherness. Dillard’s passionate soprano sax and Josh Evans’s melancholy timbre invite the listener into moments of deep reflection.

Affirmations features the voices of Holt’s family reciting their daily affirmations—a practice of identity, empowerment, and love. Raven’s tender guidance of their daughter, Freedom, conjures words filled with hope. These affirmations remind us of the freedom to be one’s true self without fear.

Kaz is dedicated to his sister Kasmin (“Kaz”). The composition celebrates her boldness and spontaneity. The opening bass solo sways with joyful bounce, embodying Kaz’s love for life and her compassion toward family and friends. Holt leads with clarity and emotional resonance, connecting directly with the listener.

Flatbush (Benito Gonzalez) reflects the powerful brotherhood shared between Holt and Gonzalez. Years of traveling the world together as members of the Kenny Garrett Quartet shaped a deep musical bond. Here, they reunite with driving rhythmic energy, celebrating the pulse and pride of Brooklyn. Gonzalez opens with a fast, high-swinging solo, followed by fiery frontline horn statements from Dillard and Evans.

Free at 3 is a conversation between Holt and his daughter, Freedom. The tune captures her innocence and joy. Throughout the album, family remains central; Holt reminds us of our limitless capacity to love.

Ibou and Art honors Holt’s late father, Ibrahim (Ibou), imagining a musical meeting between father and grandson. The arco bass speaks for the father, the soprano saxophone for the child. Their conversation is tender, uplifting, and deeply human.

Free, co-written with Benito Gonzalez, is dedicated to Holt’s daughter Freedom. This joyful, dance-like tune celebrates her spirit and the power of her name.

To My Dear Ones features a poem written by Holt’s late father and recited by Sharp Radway. The piece closes the album on a deeply moving note, preserving his father’s spirit through words and sound.

This album offers more than notes and melodies—it presents a collective movement of artists who are serious, driven, passionate, and joyful. Freedom is made visible through expressions of love and timeless compositions that illuminate the path forward. The journey Holt shares is a testament to his hope and faith in the unseen: the universal principles that guide us each day. With this freedom, we remember our loved ones, cherish the present, and give hope to the future.

With close family and friends by our side, the journey becomes sacred. Though life brings challenges, this album reminds us we are never alone. These compositions are timeless—meant for us to feel, to love, to remember as we walk together as journeymen. The journey called life is sustained by hope. That is the freedom at the heart of jazz: the urgent need to create, the courage to express oneself, and the audacity to transform sound into truth.

Keep the faith.

Liner Notes by Millard Southern

Coda

Last week, Jewel and I were joined by Corcoran and the other members of the Jazz Leadership Project (JLP) Trio, keyboardist Zaccai Curtis, and drummer McClenty Hunter, for a live workshop in NYC for a cohort of Google VPs. We are overjoyed to work with them to share the practical-to-profound wisdom of jazz music for enterprise leadership and ensemble excellence.

The Art of Freedom

Coda

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