Holden wasn’t just a barroom pianist. He was a bandleader and a mentor. He is perhaps best remembered for his long-running residency at The Jungle Casino and for teaching his sons, including the legendary saxophonist , how to play.
Left hand: a steady, walking bass line. Right hand: a sharp, playful trill.
Holden was known not just for his talent, but his kindness. He was known to play at the Black Elks Club, and he famously interacted with young, marginalized listeners in the alleys behind the venues where he performed, establishing himself as a generous, albeit principled, artist.
Jamie Ford, Oscar Holden and The Alley Cat Strut - Old Paper Art
Holden wasn’t just a barroom pianist. He was a bandleader and a mentor. He is perhaps best remembered for his long-running residency at The Jungle Casino and for teaching his sons, including the legendary saxophonist , how to play.
Left hand: a steady, walking bass line. Right hand: a sharp, playful trill.
Holden was known not just for his talent, but his kindness. He was known to play at the Black Elks Club, and he famously interacted with young, marginalized listeners in the alleys behind the venues where he performed, establishing himself as a generous, albeit principled, artist.
Jamie Ford, Oscar Holden and The Alley Cat Strut - Old Paper Art