Brian Holland feels that his career as a professional musician was preordained. His music existence began at the age of 3. Blessed with perfect pitch and an aptitude for improvisation, he learned his way around an organ keyboard and had a repertoire of old standards – all before the age of 6. He was playing four nights a week at a local inn between the ages of 12 and 14. He was the youngest person to win the World Old-Time Piano-Playing Championship, not once but three times, with the third title coming at age 27.
Classically trained, Brian has been performing jazz, ragtime and stride piano for 35 years. His approach to the piano is marked by a dynamic, driving style that has been described as “clear as Waterford crystal.” Constantly developing new and exciting styles of performance, he continues to enthrall audiences by combining impressively dexterous pyrotechnics with a laid-back approach, seemingly with little or no effort.
But Brian is not willing to rest on past laurels. “What is most important in music is to never stop learning, to always be open to experiencing and absorbing new things, to always work to improve what you are doing. It’s continual on-the-job training.”
Growing Up in Indiana
Brian’s father was in the Air Force and therefore constantly on the move. So young Brian was raised by his grandparents who lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. They taught
