Born on 16 November 1956 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Hollander took up drums at nine and later received private instruction from Gene Stewart and Roy Brooks. He also enrolled at Oakland Community College, where piano, music theory and composition formed part of his studies. At twenty-three he moved to New York City; eight years afterward he spent time living in Europe, becoming particularly known in Belgium and Germany. For several years Munich served as his home base, from which he embarked on frequent tours.
Cameron Brown, Arnett Cobb, Robin Eubanks, Tim Hagans, Roy Hargrove, Gys Hendriks, Johannes Herrlich, Mark Murphy, Herbert Noord, Rufus Reid and Woody Shaw number among the many musicians with whom he has performed. During most of the 1990s he directed his own ensemble. A mid-1990s contract with Concord Records broadened his audience beyond earlier limits, finally allowing American listeners access to the music European crowds had already appreciated for years.
Although his technical command is comprehensive, Hollander typically restrains it, preferring to supply understated support for his colleagues. Working chiefly within hard bop, his groups frequently introduce fresh variations, including passages for bass and drums alone. He shows no reluctance to revisit earlier material when choosing repertoire, as evidenced by Once Upon A Time, an album devoted entirely to the songs of Hoagy Carmichael.
