Home » Jazz Musicians » Jim Holton

Jim Holton

Jim Holton has performed extensively in the Delaware Valley, New York and New Jersey with several groups including the critically acclaimed "Rhythm and Brass" and the "Joe Sudler Swing Machine", which backed artists such as Jon Faddis, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton and Al Grey. The musicians he has worked with over the years include bassists Tyrone Brown, Mike Boone, Lee Smith and Charles Fambrough; drummers Byron Landham, Mickey Roker, Billy James, Dave Gibson and Cornell Rochester; horn players John Swana, Bob Howell, Bootsy Barnes and Larry McKenna.

Among Jim's recordings are Mike Boone's "Better Late Than Never", Tyrone Brown's "The Magic Within" and "Bass Works", Barry Sames' "Celebration" and a sound track for a documentary film "Strokes of Genius" that was composed by Dr. Maurice Wright and was nominated for a Grammy. He has been featured, including live with Bob Perkins, many times on WRTI. Jim released the CD

"No Green Bananas, a retrospective" in October of '08. The CD was favorably reviewed by,among others, the Philadelphia Inquirer and All About Jazz. In addition to performing, he teaches cello and piano, and is one of the ministers of music at Saint Johns Lutheran Church in Ambler.

Tags

6
Live Review

Jim Holton: Philadelphia, PA, March 7, 2013

Read "Jim Holton: Philadelphia, PA, March 7, 2013" reviewed by Wade Luquet


Jim HoltonTemple UniversityPhiladelphia, PAMarch 7, 2013It's not often that one would want to cover a senior recital, but the rules change when the senior music student is fifty-two year old Philadelphia piano great Jim Holton. Holton took a thirty-year break from his studies at Temple University's famed jazz program to play in clubs, churches and other venues throughout the city. He gained considerable musical wisdom along the way as he played with many of the ...

318
Album Review

Jim Holton: No Green Bananas

Read "No Green Bananas" reviewed by Wade Luquet


Listening to Jim Holton's CD No Green Bananas, there is a sense that he is not only a good musician, but a good person. This is a very personal CD for Holton, who dedicates the work to God and seems to include all of the people in his life that have paved the way for him to be where he is today. He includes a vintage track from his grandfather's band, pianist Dameon Holton, as well as a lovely prayer ...

Read more articles
Holton has backed many Philadelphia musicians and is well-known in the city's jazz community. No Green Bananas is his first release dedicated to original material and, consequently, may be difficult to define stylistically but, without a doubt, clearly demonstrates Holton's multifaceted talent." - All About Jazz.com

"On his debut recording, pianist Jim Holton creates a contemporary sound that doesn't pander. The set, produced by the session's bassist, Mike Boone, is a suave swing through Holton's original compositions in a variety of settings. "Prayer for Healing," written with bassist Tyrone Brown, is a Latin-tinged beauty, while the title track features some elegant blowing from tenor saxophonist Jon Thompson, trombonist Joe McDonough, and trumpeter John Swana. The session('s) sophisticated sounds elicit pleasure." - Philadelphia Inquirer

Photos

Concerts

Music

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.