Red Holloway Dead: Jazz Saxophonist Dies At 84

MORRO BAY, Calif. — James "Red" Holloway, a noted saxophonist who played with the greats from the big band era through bebop, blues, R&B and modern jazz, has died in California. He was 84.

His manager, Linda Knipe, says the Cambria resident died on Saturday at a care home in Morro Bay from kidney failure and complications of a stroke.

During a career that spanned nearly seven decades, Holloway's versatility and driving swing style kept him much in demand. He performed with legends such as Billie Holiday, B.B. King, Lionel Hampton and Aretha Franklin.

He played for jazz fans around the world and performed in Europe as late as last October.

Listen to Red Holloway perform "Now's The Time":

Comments

[cambrian]

02:24 AM on 03/02/2012

Mr. Holloway was a lovely presence around town...always the gentleman, always with a ready smile and sincere greeting. For someone who had been and done so much in his life, he was humble and, when asked what he'd been doing lately, talked about touring Europe or another wonderful gig with genuine delight, as though he had been the one honoured to accept the assignment, rather than the other way around. A nice man....a really nice man...and I'm so sorry we won't be seeing him at the corner store or the post office. I'm just so sorry.

[cincypix]

03:10 AM on 02/29/2012

Must be something in the Morro Bay water that lets folks live so long out there. Jack Lalanne lived out there until he passed last year at 96

[nopojoe]

12:27 AM on 02/29/2012

Never got to hear Red live,Actually, I didn't discover jazz at all until 10 years ago. Besides the music, there is much to recommend about jazz. Rare is the artist or group that sells out a large venue, usually an up close and personal experience.
Jazz artists are, by and large, very accessible. They appreciate their audience. And we them.
And I think Red fit that mold.
The old lions die, the young ones move up a notch. Last month, I caught David Ornette Cherry with Devon Phillips. They blew me away. Someday they will be the 'old guard'.
I hate to see the old ones go. I want to catch as many of them while I can, because they keep giving, right up to the end.
Head on out Saturday nite. Hit a jazz club. Cooler and a much nicer crowd.

[nellebelletje]

07:18 PM on 02/28/2012

Yeh,that is great music,thank you Mr Holloway !

[BigFootJesus]

10:32 PM on 02/27/2012

RIP Red. Bet they're swingin' tonite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM0QpO_nf7M

[James Leo]

07:03 PM on 02/27/2012

Red Holloway was one of those great transition musicians who ran the gauntlet from straight ahead Jazz to R&B I remember his records with Jazz Organist "Brother" Jack McDuff and Ed Diehl on guitar. Incredible Stuff!!

[Sandra Stipp]

03:18 PM on 02/27/2012

Another great jazz musician has passed. Thank you Mr. Holloway for giving us such great music. RIP.