Richard Holmes (organist)


Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes was an American jazz organist who performed in the hard bop and soul jazz genre. He is best known for his 1965 recording of "Misty".

Career

Holmes's first album, on Pacific Jazz with guest Ben Webster, was recorded in March 1961. He recorded many albums for Pacific Jazz, Prestige, Groove Merchant, and Muse, many of them with Houston Person.
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 with his longtime friend, singer Jimmy Witherspoon.

Discography

As leader

[Groove (Richard Groove (Richard "Groove" Holmes album)|"Groove" Holmes album)|"Groove"] – with Ben WebsterGroovin' with Jug – with Gene AmmonsSomethin' Special – with Les McCannAfter Hours Tell It Like It Tis Book of the Blues Vol. 1 – with Onzy Matthews' orchestra A Bowl of Soul – with Onzy Matthews' orchestra Blues For Spoon And Groove – with Jimmy Witherspoon Soul Message Living Soul On Basie's Bandstand Soul Mist! Misty Spicy! Super Soul – with Richard EvansGet Up & Get It! Soul Power! The Groover! That Healin' Feelin' – with Rusty BryantWelcome Home Workin' on a Groovy Thing X–77: Richard "Groove" Holmes Recorded Live at the Lighthouse Come Together – with Ernie WattsComin' on Home American Pie Night Glider Giants of the Organ Come Together – with Jimmy McGriffGiants of the Organ in Concert – with Jimmy McGriffNew Groove Onsaya Joy Six Million Dollar Man I'm in the Mood for Love Shippin' Out Good Vibrations – with Houston Person, Bob DeVos, Idris MuhammadDancing in the Sun Star Wars/Close Encounters Broadway – with Houston PersonSwedish Lullaby Blues All Day Long – with Cecil Bridgewater, Houston Person, Jimmy PonderAfrican Encounter Hot Tat – with Cecil Bridgewater, Houston Person, Jimmy Ponder

LP/CD compilations

Richard "Groove" Holmes: Jazz Milestone Series The Best of Richard "Groove" Holmes The Best of Richard "Groove" Holmes: For Beautiful People Hunk–a–Funk Supa Cookin' – with Jimmy McGriff Groovin' With Groove Blue Groove After Hours Legends of Acid Jazz: Richard "Groove" Holmes Groove's Groove Legends of Acid Jazz: Richard "Groove" Holmes – Spicy The Best of the Pacific Jazz Years Timeless: Richard "Groove" Holmes
  • ''Super Soul''

As sideman

With Earl BosticJazz As I Feel It – with Joe Pass A New Sound – with Joe Pass
With Gerald Wilson You Better Believe It! Eternal Equinox
With others