Will Holshouser

Will Holshouser was given an old accordion when he was young and impressionable and was soon bewitched by its charms. Since then, he has become one of the busiest, most versatile accordionists in the U.S. and a composer of unique, colorful music. He leads several of his own groups and performs all over the globe with leading jazz, world, pop and classical artists. Will’s music relates to multiple music traditions and draws on the deeply expressive and fun-loving aspects of his chosen instrument, incorporating melodies you can whistle, pulsating rhythms, mesmerizing hymn-like tunes, rich jazz harmonies, subtle soundscapes and exciting improvisation.

Will began playing accordion in the late 1980s when a friend gave him an old squeezebox as a surprise. At the time he was studying music in college; the accordion let him branch out to playing in bar bands, learning many kinds of folk music, and doing an eclectic range of work on the New York scene. He has since performed in over 30 countries around the world. In addition to leading his own groups and writing music, Will has played with a wide variety of artists including jazz violinist Regina Carter, modern klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer, Dutch trumpet phenomenon Eric Vloeimans, Suzanne Vega, Antony and the Johnsons, Michael Winograd, Han Bennink & Michael Moore, Lisa Gutkin, Guy Klucevsek, Uri Caine, Martha Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright III, Andy Statman, and many others. Three albums of his own music for trio, featuring trumpeter Ron Horton and bassist Dave Phillips, have been released by the Portuguese label Clean Feed. His group Musette Explosion, a collaboration with Matt Munisteri on guitar and Marcus Rojas on tuba, made it to Billboard’s Jazz Albums chart and was featured in an interview on NPR’s Fresh Air. He has been commissioned as a composer by the American Accordionists' Association and Bachtopus Accordion Ensemble. He has also worked on Broadway, in the studio with film composers including Elliot Goldenthal and Rachel Portman, and with classical ensembles including NYC Ballet, NYC Opera, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Ensemble Connect and more.

The Lone Wild Bird

By Will Holshouser

Label: Adhy?ropa Records
Released: 2025
Track listing: Aviary; The Lone Wild Bird; Blue Waters; Three Glasses; Shouting Song; Ouro Preto; Twelve Statues in the Snow; Abide With Me; Reel to Reel; Papillons et Nuages; Chez Seychelles / Balfa Waltz

Past, Present, And, Future Sounds

by Bob Osborne
May 15, 2025

The most fascinating and enduring aspect of jazz, and other improvised music, is its' capacity to surprise the listener. This week a diverse collection of pieces that deliver different and ground breaking new sounds. At the centre Ingrid Laubrock's unique new album which is meets this specification and more. And to close a classic album from ...

Matteo Pastorino, Bonbon Flamme, Will Holshouser, Christoph Irniger, Cinema Royal

by Ludovico Granvassu
April 29, 2025

40 minutes replete with music you didn't know you couldn't live without.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill) 0:00 Cinema Royal, Nitai Hershkovits, Rejoicer “Her, I" Cinema Royal (Rhythm Section International) 0:16 Host talks 5:58 Matteo Pastorino “Coming Back" Lightside (A.Ma) 7:06 Host talks 14:44 Valentin ...

Eric Vloeimans & Will Holshouser Duo On Tour In September and With Kinan Azmeh at Drom on September 8, 2024

August 9, 2024

Dutch trumpet star Eric Vloeimans is coming to the US in September for a duo tour with American accordionist Will Holshouser; at their New York concert on September 8th, they will be joined by very special guest Kinan Azmeh on clarinet, originally from Syria. These three virtuoso musicians play their original compositions that bring together sounds ...

Eric Vloeimans, Will Holshouser: Two for the Road

by Vic Albani
April 10, 2024

Registrato dal vivo nel corso di un tour di concerti in Olanda nel 2021, Two for the Road �� il secondo album del duo formato da Eric Vloeimans e Will Holshouser capace di mostrare forse pi�� che nel primo lavoro, Eric & Will, la capacit�� di scrittura espressiva, improvvisazione virtuosa e la vasta territorialit�� di influenze ...

Why Can't We Live Together?

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 4, 2023

We explore the music and bands we love not only for a source of sonic delight, but also as a metaphor of how ideal societies can work, in harmony and respect, regardless of place of origin and without boundaries, to create something higher than themselves. So this week we focus on music that may provide either ...

Dutch Trumpet Sensation Eric Vloeimans And American Accordion Master Will Holshouser Bring Their Expressive And Playful Music To Eight Us Cities And Towns October 13-22, 2023

October 14, 2023

The adventurous duo featuring Dutch trumpet sensation Eric Vloeimans and American accordionist Will Holshouser bring their expressive writing and playful, virtuosic improvising to eight US cities and towns, October 13-22, 2023. Their evocative original compositions bring together their omnivorous range of influences from jazz, classical and folk music: rich harmonies, catchy melodies and energetic improvising, spanning ...

Purple Jazz: A Tribute to Prince, Part 1

by Ludovico Granvassu
June 20, 2023

Prince who would have turned 65 this year. He may have left us over seven years ago, but the influence of his music continues unequalled, including on the world of jazz, with which he's often flirted. Here a selection of some intriguing examples of “purple jazz," including some extended jamming by Prince himself. Happy ...

Harry Connick, Jr., Ahmad Jamal & Eric Vloeimans

by Joe Dimino
January 8, 2023

From the mind of Dutch trumpet master Eric Vloeimans we begin the new 784th Episode of Neon Jazz. As 2022 comes to a close, we profile new music from several Kansas City natives including Eddie Moore and Matt Villinger as well as David Bloom and Tomas Janzon. Piano maestro Ahmad Jamal celebrates his prowess in a ...