Gavin Walker
Apr 29, 2011, 10:28 PM
Tonight we present the debut recording of one of the most distinctive Hammond organists: Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes. It was recorded on the West Coast Pacific Jazz label as Mr. Holmes, who was born in Camden, New Jersey, had settled in Los Angeles and was an important part of that city's African-American Jazz scene. This album was made possible by one of that label's best selling artists, pianist Les McCann. McCann recommended that Pacific Jazz' owner, Richard Bock give a listen to Holmes and Bock was impressed. Bock, like all label owners was an astute businessman and was aware that Hammond organ stylists were selling very well and the sound of the organ was very popular in the early 60's. Jimmy Smith was Blue Note's best seller and Brother Jack McDuff's records were moving very well at Prestige and the Hammond was "in". Groove Holmes was born on May 2, 1931 so tonight is his birthday. Holmes died at age 60 of prostate cancer in his adopted home of St. Louis Missouri on June 29, 1991. Holmes was self-taught and unlike many players of the Hammond did NOT start on piano and switch to the organ but the Hammond was his original instrument.. His distinctive sound made him easily identifiable. The sound that one can produce on the Hammond is made by pulling out and adjusting the stops and all of the major Hammond players jealously kept their own settings secret from one another. Holmes added to his distinctiveness by producing some of the best bass lines of all the great Hammond players. Holmes recorded for several years with Pacific Jazz and sold reasonably well but it wasn't until his move to New York in 1965 and his signing with Prestige that his recording career took off. His classic version of Garner's "Misty" on his Prestige debut album "Soul Message" was a Jazz hit and was a best seller for Prestige. As a treat, I'll play "Misty" and a couple of other cuts from this disc earlier in the show for you but back to the Feature album.
"Groove" was done in March of 1961 and was labeled as "Les McCann Presents The Dynamic Jazz Organ of Richard GROOVE Holmes!" This is a well organized date (no pun intended but groan if you wish) with McCann playing piano on most tracks but never getting in the way. Two wonderful horns are part of the scenario in the persons of Lawrence "Tricky" Lofton on trombone and the great Ben Webster on tenor saxophone. Both are very effective soloists as you might suspect and Webster really shines on all of the tunes. George Freeman, from the illustrious Chicago family is very much his own man on guitar. George is the middle brother between tenor saxophonist, Von and Bruz, who plays drums. The tasty and swinging "Lady J."; Ron Jefferson, who was McCann's regular drummer in his trio, provides the drive and accents in all the right places. Groove Holmes delivers some great solos and shows us his command of superb bass lines. The tunes are all catchy with one original by McCann and one by Holmes plus one by Ray Charles. Two, tried and true standards (Just Friends and Deep Purple) and two Jazz staples (Benny Goodman's 'Seven Come Eleven' and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis' burner, "Licks a-Plenty") make up the set. So sit back and enjoy and maybe even dance to the music of Richard "Groove" Holmes and company. Happy Birthday Mr. Holmes!
The Groove Holmes Feature will be aired as usual shortly after 11pm but we'll have a full slate of musical goodies starting right at 9pm......see you then..........................
"Groove" was done in March of 1961 and was labeled as "Les McCann Presents The Dynamic Jazz Organ of Richard GROOVE Holmes!" This is a well organized date (no pun intended but groan if you wish) with McCann playing piano on most tracks but never getting in the way. Two wonderful horns are part of the scenario in the persons of Lawrence "Tricky" Lofton on trombone and the great Ben Webster on tenor saxophone. Both are very effective soloists as you might suspect and Webster really shines on all of the tunes. George Freeman, from the illustrious Chicago family is very much his own man on guitar. George is the middle brother between tenor saxophonist, Von and Bruz, who plays drums. The tasty and swinging "Lady J."; Ron Jefferson, who was McCann's regular drummer in his trio, provides the drive and accents in all the right places. Groove Holmes delivers some great solos and shows us his command of superb bass lines. The tunes are all catchy with one original by McCann and one by Holmes plus one by Ray Charles. Two, tried and true standards (Just Friends and Deep Purple) and two Jazz staples (Benny Goodman's 'Seven Come Eleven' and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis' burner, "Licks a-Plenty") make up the set. So sit back and enjoy and maybe even dance to the music of Richard "Groove" Holmes and company. Happy Birthday Mr. Holmes!
The Groove Holmes Feature will be aired as usual shortly after 11pm but we'll have a full slate of musical goodies starting right at 9pm......see you then..........................