Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes (May 2, 1931 – June 29, 1991) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

organist who performed in the

hard bop Hard bop is a subgenre of jazz that is an extension of bebop (or "bop") music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz that incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospe ...

and

soul jazz Soul jazz or funky jazz is a subgenre of jazz that incorporates strong influences from hard bop, blues, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues. Soul jazz is often characterized by organ trios featuring the Hammond organ and small combos including ten ...

genre. He is best known for his 1965 recording of "

Misty Misty may refer to: Music * ''Misty'' (Ray Stevens album), an album by Ray Stevens featuring the above song * ''Misty'' (Richard "Groove" Holmes album), an album by Richard "Groove" Holmes featuring the above song * ''Misty'' (Eddie "Lockjaw" ...

Career

Holmes's first album, on

Pacific Jazz Pacific Jazz Records was a Los Angeles-based record company and label best known for cool jazz or West coast jazz. It was founded in 1952 by producer Richard Bock (1927–1988) and drummer Roy Harte (1924–2003). Harte, in 1954, also co-founded ...

with guest

Ben Webster Benjamin Francis Webster (March 27, 1909 – September 20, 1973) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Career Early life and career A native of Kansas City, Missouri, he studied violin, learned how to play blues on the piano from ...

, was recorded in March 1961. He recorded many albums for Pacific Jazz,

Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnet ...

Groove Merchant Groove Merchant was an American jazz and R&B record label during the 1970s. It was run by producer Sonny Lester and distributed by Pickwick Records. Notable artists included Chick Corea, O'Donel Levy, Buddy Rich, Jimmy McGriff, Lonnie Smith and ...

, and

Muse In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...

, many of them with

Houston Person Houston Person (born November 10, 1934) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. He received the ...

. He died of a heart attack after battling prostate cancer, having performed his last concerts in a wheelchair. One of his last gigs was at the 1991

Chicago Blues Festival The Chicago Blues Festival is an annual event held in June, that features three days of performances by top-tier blues musicians, both old favorites and the up-and-coming. It is hosted by the Chicago, Illinois, City of Chicago Department of Cu ...

with his longtime friend, singer

Jimmy Witherspoon James Witherspoon (August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was an American jump blues singer. Early life, family and education Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. His father was a railroad worker who sang in local choirs, and his mot ...

Discography

As leader

* '' "Groove" (

Les McCann Leslie Coleman McCann (born September 23, 1935) is an American jazz pianist and vocalist.Feather, Leonard, and Ira Gitler (2007), ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz'', p. 448. Oxford University Press. Early life Les McCann was born in ...

Presents the Dynamic Jazz Organ of Richard "Groove" Holmes)'' lso released as ''That Healin' Feelin' ''(

, 1961) – with

* ''

Groovin' with Jug ''Groovin' with Jug'' is a live album (with three tracks recorded in the studio) by organist Richard Holmes and saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in 1961 and released on the Pacific Jazz label.Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

* '' Somethin' Special'' (Pacific Jazz, 1962) – with Les McCann * '' After Hours'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961–1962) * ''

Tell It Like It Tis ''Tell It Like It Tis'' is an album led by organist Richard "Groove" Holmes recorded in 1961 and 1962 and released on the Pacific Jazz label in 1966.Freed., RLes McCann Discographyaccessed March 4, 2016 Reception The Allmusic review by Michael ...

'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961–1962

el. 1966 EL, El or el may refer to: Religion * El (deity), a Semitic word for "God" People * EL (rapper) (born 1983), stage name of Elorm Adablah, a Ghanaian rapper and sound engineer * El DeBarge, music artist * El Franco Lee (1949–2016), American po ...

* '' Book of the Blues Vol. 1'' (Warner Bros., 1964) – with Onzy Matthews' orchestra ote: reissued on Groove Hut (#66707) in 2009* ''

A Bowl of Soul A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes'' ...

'' (Loma/WB, 1966

el. 1967 EL, El or el may refer to: Religion * El (deity), a Semitic word for "God" People * EL (rapper) (born 1983), stage name of Elorm Adablah, a Ghanaian rapper and sound engineer * El DeBarge, music artist * El Franco Lee (1949–2016), American po ...

– with Onzy Matthews' orchestra ote: reissued on Groove Hut (#66707) in 2009* ''Blues For Spoon And Groove'' (Surrey, 1965) – with

eissued as ''Groovin' and Spoonin' '' on Olympic/Everest in 1973* ''

Soul Message ''Soul Message'' is an album by jazz organist Richard "Groove" Holmes which was recorded in 1965 and released on the Prestige label.Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnet ...

, 1965; CD reissue: OJC, 1988) [note: includes the original "full–length" version (6:00) of "

"] * ''Living Soul (Recorded Live! at Count Basie's)'' (Prestige, 1966) * ''On Basie's Bandstand'' ive(Prestige, 1966 [rel. 2003]) * ''Soul Mist!'' (Prestige, 1966 [rel. 1970]) * ''Misty (Richard "Groove" Holmes album), Misty'' (Prestige, 1965–1966; CD reissue: OJC, 1992) * '' Spicy!'' (Prestige, 1966) * '' Super Soul'' (Prestige, 1967) – with Richard Evans * '' Get Up & Get It!'' (Prestige, 1967) * ''

Soul Power! ''Soul Power!'' is an album by jazz organist Richard "Groove" Holmes which was recorded in 1967 and released on the Prestige label.The Groover!'' (Prestige, 1968) * '' That Healin' Feelin''' (Prestige, 1968) – with

Rusty Bryant Royal Gordon "Rusty" Bryant (November 25, 1929 – March 25, 1991) was an American jazz tenor and alto saxophonist. Biography Bryant was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, becoming a fixture of the local jazz scene ...

* '' Welcome Home'' (World Pacific, 1968) * '' Workin' on a Groovy Thing'' (World Pacific, 1968) * ''X–77: Richard "Groove" Holmes Recorded Live at the Lighthouse'' (World Pacific, 1969) * ''Come Together'' (World Pacific, 1970) – with

Ernie Watts Ernest James Watts (born October 23, 1945) is an American jazz and rhythm and blues saxophonist who plays soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone. He has worked with Charlie Haden's Quartet West and toured with the Rolling Stones. On Frank Zappa's ...

* '' Comin' on Home'' (Blue Note, 1971) * '' American Pie'' (

, 1972) * ''

Night Glider ''Night Glider'' is an album by the American jazz organist Groove Holmes recorded at New York City's Bell Sound Studios in 1973 and released on the Groove Merchant label.

'' (Groove Merchant, 1973) * '' Giants of the Organ Come Together'' (Groove Merchant, 1973) – with

Jimmy McGriff James Harrell McGriff (April 3, 1936 – May 24, 2008) was an American hard bop and soul-jazz organist and organ trio bandleader. Biography Early years and influences Born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Germantown, Pennsylvania, Uni ...

* '' Giants of the Organ in Concert'' (Groove Merchant, 1973) – with Jimmy McGriff * '' New Groove'' (Groove Merchant, 1974) * '' Onsaya Joy'' ive(

Flying Dutchman The ''Flying Dutchman'' ( nl, De Vliegende Hollander) is a legendary ghost ship, allegedly never able to make port, but doomed to sail the seven seas forever. The myth is likely to have originated from the 17th-century Golden Age of the Dut ...

, 1975) * ''

Six Million Dollar Man ''The Six Million Dollar Man'' is an American science fiction and action television series, running from 1973 to 1978, about a former astronaut, USAF Colonel Steve Austin, portrayed by Lee Majors. After a NASA test flight accident, Austin is reb ...

'' (Flying Dutchman, 1975) * ''I'm in the Mood for Love'' (Flying Dutchman, 1976) * ''

Shippin' Out ''Shippin' Out'' is an album by jazz organist Groove Holmes recorded in 1977 and released on the Groove Merchant label the following year.Fitzgera;ld,M. & Zielgler, FMuse Records listingaccessed February 8, 2019 Reception Allmusic's Scott Yano ...

'' (

, 1977) * ''Good Vibrations'' (Muse, 1977 el. 1980 – with

Bob DeVos Bob DeVos (born 1946) is an American jazz guitarist, vocalist, and teacher from New Jersey. Early life DeVos failed a "music appreciation" class in his first year of college, which he later dropped out from. Career His style combines blues, r ...

Idris Muhammad Idris Muhammad ( ar, إدريس محمد; born Leo Morris; November 13, 1939 – July 29, 2014) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He had an extensive career performing jazz, funk, R&B, and soul music and recorded with musicians such a ...

* ''Dancing in the Sun'' (Versatile, 1978) * ''Star Wars/Close Encounters'' (Versatile, 1978) * ''Broadway'' (Muse, 1980; reissue: 32 Jazz, 1998) – with Houston Person * ''Swedish Lullaby'' (Sison, 1984) * ''Blues All Day Long'' (Muse, 1988; reissue: 32 Jazz, 1999) – with

Cecil Bridgewater Cecil Bridgewater (born October 10, 1942) is an American jazz trumpeter. Biography Bridgewater was born in Urbana, Illinois and studied at the University of Illinois. He and brother Ron formed the Bridgewater Brothers Band in 1969, and in the 197 ...

, Houston Person, Jimmy Ponder * ''African Encounter'' (Muse, 1988) * ''Hot Tat'' (Muse, 1989 el. 1991 – with Cecil Bridgewater, Houston Person, Jimmy Ponder

LP/CD compilations

* ''Richard "Groove" Holmes: Jazz Milestone Series'' (Pacific Jazz, 1966) (compilation of Pacific Jazz material) * ''The Best of Richard "Groove" Holmes'' (Prestige, 1969) (compilation of Prestige material) * ''The Best of Richard "Groove" Holmes: For Beautiful People'' (Prestige, 1970) (another compilation of Prestige material) * ''Hunk–a–Funk'' (Groove Merchant, 1975) (compilation of ''Night Glider'' + ''New Groove'') * ''Supa Cookin' '' (Groove Merchant, 1975) – with Jimmy McGriff (compilation of ''Giants of the Organ Come Together'' + ''Giants of the Organ in Concert'') * ''Groovin' With Groove'' (LRC

ester Radio Corporation In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ar ...

1994) (compilation of Groove Merchant albums: ''American Pie'', ''Night Glider'', ''New Groove'') * ''Blue Groove'' (Prestige, 1994) (compilation of ''Get Up & Get It!'' + ''Soul Mist!'') * ''After Hours'' (Pacific Jazz, 1996) (compilation of ''After Hours'' + ''Tell It Like It Is'') * ''Legends of Acid Jazz: Richard "Groove" Holmes'' (Prestige, 1997) (compilation of ''The Groover!'' + ''That Healin' Feelin) * ''Groove's Groove'' (32 Jazz, 1998) (compilation of Muse albums: ''Shippin' Out'', ''Good Vibrations'', ''Broadway'', ''Blues All Day Long'') * ''Legends of Acid Jazz: Richard "Groove" Holmes – Spicy'' (Prestige, 1999) (compilation of ''Living Soul'' + ''Spicy!'') * ''The Best of the Pacific Jazz Years'' (Pacific Jazz/EMI, 2001) (compilation of Pacific Jazz material) * ''Timeless: Richard "Groove" Holmes'' (Savoy Jazz/Denon, 2003) (compilation of Muse material) * ''Super Soul'' (Prestige, 2004) (compilation of ''Soul Power!'' + ''Super Soul'')

As sideman

With

Earl Bostic Eugene Earl Bostic (April 25, 1913 – October 28, 1965) was an American alto saxophonist. Bostic's recording career was diverse, his musical output encompassing jazz, swing, jump blues and the post-war American rhythm and blues style, which h ...

*''Jazz As I Feel It'' (King, 1963; reissued as ''Complete Quintet Recordings'' on Lone Hill Jazz in 2006) – with

Joe Pass Joe Pass (born Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalaqua; January 13, 1929 – May 23, 1994) was an American jazz guitarist. Pass is well known for his work stemming from numerous collaborations with pianist Oscar Peterson and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, an ...

*''A New Sound'' (King, 1964; reissued as ''Complete Quintet Recordings'' on Lone Hill Jazz in 2006) – with Joe Pass With

Bumble Bee Slim Admirl Amos Easton (May 7, 1905 – June 8, 1968), better known by the stage name Bumble Bee Slim, was an American Piedmont blues singer and guitarist. Biography Easton was born in Brunswick, Georgia, United States. Several original sources c ...

*''Back in Town'' (Pacific Jazz, 1962) With Willis Jackson *''In Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1980'' lso released as ''Ya Understand Me?''(Disques Black And Blue, 1980; Muse, 1984; reissued as ''Live On Stage (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions)'' on Black & Blue in 2003 with 3 bonus tracks) With

Eric Kloss Eric Kloss (born April 3, 1949) is an American jazz saxophonist. Music career Kloss was born blind in Greenville, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, and attended the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind, which was run by his father. When he was 1 ...

*''

Love and All That Jazz ''Love and All That Jazz'' is a studio album by saxophonist Eric Kloss. It was recorded in 1966 and released on Prestige Records.Les McCann Leslie Coleman McCann (born September 23, 1935) is an American jazz pianist and vocalist.Feather, Leonard, and Ira Gitler (2007), ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz'', p. 448. Oxford University Press. Early life Les McCann was born in ...

*''

Les McCann Sings ''Les McCann Sings'' is an album by pianist and vocalist Les McCann recorded in 1961 and released on the Pacific Jazz label.Freed., RLes McCann Discographyaccessed January 12, 2016 Reception The AllMusic review by Ron Wynn called the album: "A ...

'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961) With

Lou Rawls Louis Allen Rawls (December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006) was an American record producer, singer, composer and actor. Rawls released more than 60 albums, sold more than 40 million records, and had numerous charting singles, most notably his s ...

*''Black and Blue'' (Capitol, 1963) With

Dakota Staton Dakota Staton (June 3, 1930 – April 10, 2007) was an American jazz vocalist who found international acclaim with the 1957 No. 4 hit "The Late, Late Show". She was also known by the Muslim name Aliyah Rabia for a period due to her conversion to ...

*'' Madame Foo-Foo'' (Groove Merchant, 1972) With

Gerald Wilson Gerald Stanley Wilson (September 4, 1918 – September 8, 2014) was an American jazz trumpeter, big band bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator. Born in Mississippi, he was based in Los Angeles from the early 1940s. In addition to being a ...

*''

You Better Believe It! ''You Better Believe It!'' is an album by Jazz musician and bandleader Gerald Wilson. Recorded in 1961 for the Pacific Jazz label,

'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961) *'' Eternal Equinox'' (Pacific Jazz, 1969)

References

External links

Richard "Groove" Holmes
at Jazzlists {{DEFAULTSORT:Holmes, Richard Soul-jazz organists Hard bop organists American jazz organists American male organists American jazz composers American male jazz composers 1931 births 1991 deaths Blue Note Records artists Muse Records artists Deaths from prostate cancer Deaths from cancer in Missouri 20th-century American composers Musicians from Camden, New Jersey Black & Blue Records artists 20th-century American male musicians 20th-century jazz composers 20th-century African-American musicians