Richard "Groove" Holmes
Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes, Born Richard Arnold Jackson(Camden, New Jer… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes, Born Richard Arnold Jackson(Camden, New Jersey, May 2, 1931 – St. Louis, Missouri, June 29, 1991) 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," and is considered a precursor of acid jazz.
Holmes burst onto the music scene in the early 1960s (his first album, on Pacific Jazz with guest Ben Webster was recorded in March 1961). An African-American, literally a heavyweight (approximately 300 pounds) and physically rotund in stature, he gained immediate respect with an inimitable style of his own. His sound was immediately recognizable in the upper register, but even more so because of his virtuosity in creating, undoubtedly, the most rapid, punctuating, and pulsating basslines of all the jazz organists. His Prestige recording of "Live at the Front Room" recorded in Newark, New Jersey is one of the great jazz performances on the Hammond-B3. He (Holmes) seemed to make fire jump from the Hammond organ the night of that live recording. Though his recording years were relatively brief, as he died at the less than advanced age of 60, he established a recognition that is stellar within the community of notable jazz organ giants,i.e. Jimmy Smith (The Sermon), Brother Jack McDuff (A Real Good 'Un), Jimmy McGriff (I've Got a Woman). His style whether ballad, standard, or uptempo straight ahead, was always soulful, as his nicknamed implied, he was a "Groove".
He recorded many albums for Pacific Jazz, Prestige Records, Groove Merchent and Muse Records.
Holmes died after a long struggle with prostate cancer, having performed his last concerts on a wheelchair. One of his last gigs was at the 1991 Chicago Blues Festival with his longtime friend, singer Jimmy Witherspoon.
Holmes burst onto the music scene in the early 1960s (his first album, on Pacific Jazz with guest Ben Webster was recorded in March 1961). An African-American, literally a heavyweight (approximately 300 pounds) and physically rotund in stature, he gained immediate respect with an inimitable style of his own. His sound was immediately recognizable in the upper register, but even more so because of his virtuosity in creating, undoubtedly, the most rapid, punctuating, and pulsating basslines of all the jazz organists. His Prestige recording of "Live at the Front Room" recorded in Newark, New Jersey is one of the great jazz performances on the Hammond-B3. He (Holmes) seemed to make fire jump from the Hammond organ the night of that live recording. Though his recording years were relatively brief, as he died at the less than advanced age of 60, he established a recognition that is stellar within the community of notable jazz organ giants,i.e. Jimmy Smith (The Sermon), Brother Jack McDuff (A Real Good 'Un), Jimmy McGriff (I've Got a Woman). His style whether ballad, standard, or uptempo straight ahead, was always soulful, as his nicknamed implied, he was a "Groove".
He recorded many albums for Pacific Jazz, Prestige Records, Groove Merchent and Muse Records.
Holmes died after a long struggle with prostate cancer, having performed his last concerts on a wheelchair. One of his last gigs was at the 1991 Chicago Blues Festival with his longtime friend, singer Jimmy Witherspoon.
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Richard "Groove" Holmes Lyrics
Autumn Leaves The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of…
Blue Moon Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Body and Soul My heart is sad and lonely For you I sigh, for…
Deep Purple Woo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo, Wo-o-oo-wo-wo When…
Don't Mess With Me Don't mess with me I said yeah don't mess with me Say…
Go Away Little Girl Won't you go away (little girl) Wish you wouldn't stay (lit…
Groovin' For Mr. G Beatles Miscellaneous Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! (ta…
Hallelujah I Love Her So Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know She is…
I'll Remember April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodb…
I'm In The Mood For Love I'm in the mood for love Simply because you're near me. Funn…
It Might as Well Be Spring I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm I'm as…
It's Going To Take Some Time It's gonna take some time this time To get myself in…
Just Friends Just friends, lovers no more Just friends, but not like befo…
Laura You know the feeling of something half remembered Of someth…
Man I Love The very thought of you makes my heart sing Like an…
More Each time I look at you is like the first…
My One and Only Love The very thought of you makes my heart sing Like an…
On Green Dolphin St It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened A…
Over The Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high There's a land that…
Pennies From Heaven Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven Don't you…
Polka Dots and Moonbeams A country dance was being held in a garden I felt…
Second Time Around Love is lovelier the second time around Just as wonderful w…
Secret Love Once I had a secret love, That lived within the heart…
Song For My Father If there was ever a man Who was generous, gracious and…
Speak Low Speak low when you speak, love, Our summer day withers away…
Strangers in the Night Strangers in the night, Exchanging glances Wandering the …
The Girl From Ipanema Tall and tan and young and lovely The girl from Ipanema…
The More I See You Each time I look at you is like the first…
The Shadow of Your Smile The shadow of your smile When you have gone Will color all…
There Is No Greater Love There is no greater love Than what I feel for you No…
These Foolish Things Oh! Will you never let me be? Oh! Will you never…
Where or When It seems we stood and talked like this before We looked…