HoBoLeMa
Encyclopedia
HoBoLeMa is an improvisation
al instrumental
supergroup
consisting of Allan Holdsworth
, Terry Bozzio
, Tony Levin
and Pat Mastelotto
. The group toured Japan in November 2008, the West Coast of the United States in January 2009 and Europe in April and May 2010. The name "HoBoLeMa" comes from combining the first two letters of each of their last names.
HoBoLeMa performs shows without any written music, improvising multiple live sets with breaks in between. While most of the drums are improvised and acoustic in nature, Mastelotto uses some electronic drums and audio samples. Bozzio performs on a large drum kit with several gongs. Levin plays the unconventional Chapman Stick
and an NS electric upright bass, while Holdsworth improvises jazz guitar solos and droning chords over the top.
In January 2009, GuitarPlayer Magazine interviewed all four members of the group about the process of improvisation
, and recorded 3 excerpts from a show in Oakland, California
, and posted them online.
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
al instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
consisting of Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but first drew attention for his work in jazz fusion...
, Terry Bozzio
Terry Bozzio
Terry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
, Tony Levin
Tony Levin
Tony Levin is an American progressive rock musician, specializing in bass guitar, Chapman stick and upright bass ....
and Pat Mastelotto
Pat Mastelotto
Pat Mastelotto is a rock drummer who has worked with Mr. Mister and King Crimson, amongst others. For King Crimson he initially formed part of the "double trio" lineup, joining Bill Bruford on drums...
. The group toured Japan in November 2008, the West Coast of the United States in January 2009 and Europe in April and May 2010. The name "HoBoLeMa" comes from combining the first two letters of each of their last names.
HoBoLeMa performs shows without any written music, improvising multiple live sets with breaks in between. While most of the drums are improvised and acoustic in nature, Mastelotto uses some electronic drums and audio samples. Bozzio performs on a large drum kit with several gongs. Levin plays the unconventional Chapman Stick
Chapman Stick
The Chapman Stick is an electric musical instrument devised by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970s. A member of the guitar family, the Chapman Stick usually has ten or twelve individually tuned strings and has been used on music recordings to play bass lines, melody lines, chords or textures...
and an NS electric upright bass, while Holdsworth improvises jazz guitar solos and droning chords over the top.
In January 2009, GuitarPlayer Magazine interviewed all four members of the group about the process of improvisation
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
, and recorded 3 excerpts from a show in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, and posted them online.
Band members
- Allan HoldsworthAllan HoldsworthAllan Holdsworth is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but first drew attention for his work in jazz fusion...
- guitar - Terry BozzioTerry BozzioTerry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
- drums/percussion - Tony LevinTony LevinTony Levin is an American progressive rock musician, specializing in bass guitar, Chapman stick and upright bass ....
- Chapman Stick/electric upright bass - Pat MastelottoPat MastelottoPat Mastelotto is a rock drummer who has worked with Mr. Mister and King Crimson, amongst others. For King Crimson he initially formed part of the "double trio" lineup, joining Bill Bruford on drums...
- drums/percussion