About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

It's interesting to note that after all these years, Red Holloway, who like peers Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman studied with Captain Walter Dyett at DuSable High School, finally lands on his hometown-based Delmark label for a spirited session featuring younger sidemen from the Windy City. Guitarist Henry Johnson joins organist Chris Foreman and drummer Greg Rockingham from the Deep Blue Organ Trio to back the classic soul-jazz tenor saxophonist on a set of standards and jam tunes typical of the material Holloway has always favored. His tart sweet tone is intact, choosing not to play it smooth and cool, but injecting his personal bluesy fervor into a context that most jazz listeners can relate to. Always comparable to Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, Gene Ammons, David "Fathead" Newman, and Hank Crawford, tenor and alto saxophonist Holloway has outlasted them all, and still thrives in an atmosphere of R&B-based swing that goes down-home at the drop of a hat. While he rarely turns to a contemporary approach, there are flavors of funkiness on a quite different arrangement of "Bags' Groove," while Holloway and Foreman join together on the ageless melody of the steamy, fluid calypso "St. Thomas." These are prime examples of how Holloway can turn well-worn tunes into new gems. Standards like the good swinger "Love Walked In" and "Wave" suggest the solid-sounding soulful Chicago tradition of mixing jazz and blues 50-50, with melodies lovingly and patiently rendered. The title selection is the feverish heavy bop jam tune you expect, borrowed from Arnett Cobb, featuring some exciting counterpunches and tradeoffs with Foreman. But it is on the extended ballads "Deep Purple" and "Stardust" where Holloway's veteran status shines through. It's more difficult to play slow than fast, and here the saxophonist proves his mettle as not only a refined performer, but a singular voice in his own right. You also get the blues-drenched "I Like It Funky," while Holloway gets back to his bar-walkin' roots singing the old rocking R&B hit "Keep Your Hands Off Her," made popular by one of his old employers, Roosevelt Sykes. Guitarist George Freeman sits in on these two, and he is as delightful as ever -- witty, charming, and completely cooperative with the organist and drummer. At age 80 during these recording sessions, Red Holloway is swinging just like in the old days, unaffected by commercial claptrap and retaining his personal sonic identity for all the people to enjoy. Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

• Listener Rating: