Larry Holloway is a monster talent of the biggest of upright basses. His sound
is generous and irrepressible. A regular on the Northwest and
national jazz scene, Larry was recently heard performing with legendary jazz
pianist George Cables for the Jazz Society of Oregon's "First Jazz 2001".
Growing up in Kansas, Larry earned a Bachelor of Music in 1980. He served two
stints with the Tommy Dorsey
orchestra led by Buddy Morrow; 1982-83 and 1991-92. Before
dropping anchor in the Northwest, Larry spent many years in
Kansas City and Denver performing with the likes of Chet Baker, Phil Urso,
Harold Land, and Gary Foster. From his current northern position he has
performed with the late Steve Allen and is a constant foundation to many bands
and singers. Larry was featured at Jazz Alley in Seattle with Louie Bellson and
Pete Christlieb. October '96 saw him in Brazil on a 10 day Jazz
Festival tour with vocalist Ernestine Anderson.
Several years ago, Larry began tuning his bass in
fifths, an ambitious technique pioneered by his mentor, the great
jazz bassist Red Mitchell. This gives him a much expanded range
on the instrument, allowing him to grind the low notes even lower,
and sing on the high notes with amazing drive and clarity. Larry is
the first recipient of the
Red Mitchell Scholarship Award
, presented at
Willamette University in Salem Oregon, featuring a concert duet with trumpet
legend Clark Terry.
Larry is definitely at the top of his field (or bottom, if you're a bass
player), and much in demand. He is a
Pony Boy Records
recording artist and can be heard on his latest release with master guitarist
Christopher Woitach. Other recordings are with the
The Big Bad Groove Society
,
a popular contemporary sextet of big band road alumni and
Lance Buller and the Monarchs
, a "good times" swing band.
