1166: Corcoran Holt on Music, Family, and the Freedom to Tell Your Story

Corcoran Holt is a Washington, D.C.–born bassist, composer, arranger, and educator whose musical roots stretch from the DC Youth Orchestra and Duke Ellington School of the Arts to work with artists including Kenny Garrett and Steve Turre. Now Assistant Professor of Jazz Bass at Arizona State University, Corcoran brings that deep performing experience into the classroom while continuing to develop his own voice as a bandleader. His second album, Freedom of Art, is an intimate musical portrait of transformation, family, loss, and new beginnings. In this conversation, Corcoran talks about building community at ASU, why fundamentals and real-world experience matter, and how musicians begin finding their identities after leaving school. He also shares how fatherhood changed his approach to improvisation, how bass lines, voice memos, piano, dreams, and everyday chaos feed his composing, and why *Freedom of Art* was designed as a complete story best heard from beginning to end. Enjoy *Freedom of Art*, and follow Corcoran on Instagram and Facebook!   **Thank you to our sponsor!** Wiedoeft Double Bass Rosin We want grip and longevity from rosin. Most fail at one of them. We get a lot of rosin sent our way to evaluate on the job. Wiedoeft is the one we keep using, from symphony stages to theatre pits. **All Season** — Balanced grip across normal swings in temperature and humidity. **Ultra-Grip** — A softer blend built for cold halls and dry climates. Use code **DBHQ** for free shipping, direct from Wiedoeft. **Connect with DBHQ** - Join Our Newsletter - Double Bass Resources - Double Bass Sheet Music - Double Bass Merch **Gear used to record this podcast** - Zoom H6 studio 8-Track 32-Bit Float Handy Recorder - Rode Podmic - Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera - Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Lens - Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens When you buy a product using a link on this page, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting DBHQ. Theme music by Eric Hochberg