Ron Holloway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ron Holloway
Tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway during a tour of Russia
Background information
Birth name	Ronald Edward Holloway
Born	(1953-08-24) August 24, 1953 (age 71) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres	Jazz, R&B, blues, funk, rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Tenor saxophone
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Fantasy/Milestone
Associated acts	Warren Haynes, Susan Tedeschi, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Scott-Heron, Root Boy Slim

Ron Holloway, born Ronald Edward Holloway on August 24, 1953, is an amazing American musician. He is best known for playing the tenor saxophone with a lot of energy and feeling. A famous jazz critic, Ira Gitler, once said Ron could play many styles, from upbeat jazz to soulful ballads.

Ron has won many awards, including 42 Washington Area Music Awards, also known as Wammies. He was even named Musician of the Year twice! He has played with famous artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Susan Tedeschi, and Warren Haynes. Since 2014, he has led his own group, The Ron Holloway Band.

Ron Holloway's Musical Journey

Early Life and Musical Heroes

Ron Holloway was born in Washington, D.C. His parents, Winston and Marjorie Holloway, loved jazz music and had many records. Even though they weren't musicians, they created a home full of music for Ron. His father especially liked albums with saxophones and trumpets.

Ron first learned from R&B-influenced musicians like Willis Gator Jackson. Later, he was inspired by famous jazz players like Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. After high school, Ron practiced his saxophone for many hours every day. He also played with different bands in "jam sessions" to learn many styles of music. He could play jazz, R&B, funk, rock, blues, and more!

In the 1970s, Ron joined popular R&B groups like the Sounds of Shea and Mad Dog and the Lowlifers in Washington, D.C.

Playing with Jazz Legends

In 1974, Ron met the famous trumpet player Freddie Hubbard. Ron showed Freddie a tape of his playing, and Freddie was so impressed that he invited Ron to play with him that Sunday night. After that, Ron had an open invitation to join Freddie whenever he was in town.

The next year, Sonny Rollins, a saxophone legend, held a workshop at Howard University. Ron got to play with Sonny on stage and received a standing ovation! Ron and Sonny became good friends and stayed in touch. Sonny Rollins has often praised Ron as one of his favorite young saxophone players.

Ron also admired Sonny Rollins's unique way of playing, including his humor, timing, and special sound.

In 1977, Ron met another jazz giant, Dizzy Gillespie, a famous trumpet player. Ron showed Dizzy a tape of his performance with Sonny Rollins. Dizzy was so impressed that he asked Ron to play with him all week! After that, Ron had a standing invitation to join Dizzy's band. Ron continued to play with Dizzy Gillespie in the 1980s, even performing with him in London, England.

Joining Gil Scott-Heron's Band

In 1981, Ron met Gil Scott-Heron, a singer and spoken word artist. Gil invited Ron to join his band, "Amnesia Express." In February 1982, Ron played his first concert with Gil Scott-Heron in New York City. Critics liked Ron's playing and mentioned him in their reviews.

Ron's playing grew a lot while he was with Gil's band. He said, "I got so many things together on my horn while playing with Gil. It was really a valuable period of self discovery." Ron was a member of Gil Scott-Heron's group from 1982 until 1989.

Touring the World with Dizzy Gillespie

Even while playing with Gil Scott-Heron, Ron continued to perform with Dizzy Gillespie whenever Dizzy was in Washington, D.C. In June 1989, Dizzy surprised Ron by asking him to join his band full-time. Ron accepted and soon found himself traveling the world with Dizzy Gillespie.

They played for many different audiences, from small clubs to popular American TV shows like the Johnny Carson and Arsenio Hall shows. During his time with Dizzy, Ron recorded two albums: The Symphony Sessions and Dizzy Gillespie – Live! at Blues Alley. Ron was a member of Dizzy Gillespie's band from 1989 until Dizzy's passing in 1993.

Solo Albums and The Ron Holloway Band

In 1993, Ron recorded his own album and sent it to his mentor, Sonny Rollins. Sonny then sent the recording to Fantasy Records, and Ron was signed to Milestone Records (part of Fantasy) within a week! Ron has released four albums on Milestone Records and one on the Jazzmont label.

In 2015, Ron formed The Ron Holloway Band (RHB). This band focuses on funk and jam music, featuring Ron's saxophone playing and multiple female vocalists. The band first played at the 2014 Mad Tea Party in West Virginia. Soon after, they performed at The Peach Music Festival in Pennsylvania, where special guests like Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks joined them on stage.

Many talented musicians have been part of The Ron Holloway Band, including Jenny Langer (vocals), Rodney Dunton (drums), and Justin Gillen (guitar).

Playing with Gov't Mule and The Allman Brothers Band

Ron Holloway playing with Gov't Mule in Wilmington, DE, 2008

In 2002, Ron met Derek Trucks, a famous guitarist, and they became friends. Ron has played with Derek many times, both with The Derek Trucks Band and The Allman Brothers Band. He also toured with the Susan Tedeschi Band and the "Soul Stew Revival," a band co-led by Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi.

In 2004, Ron played with Little Feat and then joined The Allman Brothers Band on stage for a classic song called "Southbound." After that, Warren Haynes invited Ron to play with his band, Gov't Mule, for two nights in Washington, D.C. They recorded both shows.

Ron has performed with The Allman Brothers Band and Gov't Mule many times since then. He has played at famous venues like the Beacon Theatre in New York City and the Wanee Music Festival in Florida. He also often plays at The Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, a special concert hosted by Warren Haynes every year.

With Susan Tedeschi

Ron Holloway in 2007 with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi's Soul Stew Revival

In 2005, Ron heard the amazing blues and soul singer Susan Tedeschi perform. They had met a few years earlier at a music festival. After playing together that night, Susan invited Ron to join her band. For the next four years, Ron toured with Susan Tedeschi's band across Europe and the United States. They played at major festivals, concert halls, and clubs. They also appeared on TV shows like Late Night with Conan O'Brien and performed live on many radio stations.

The Warren Haynes Band

In 2009, Warren Haynes started working on a solo album called Man in Motion. Ron Holloway played tenor saxophone on this album, which was released in 2011. The Warren Haynes Band first performed at the 22nd Annual The Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina, in December 2010. After the album came out, Ron joined Warren Haynes and the band for a long tour.

Playing with Devon Allman

Ron met Devon Allman, the son of Gregg Allman (from The Allman Brothers Band), in 2009. Devon later asked Ron to play saxophone on his band Honeytribe's second album, Space Age Blues. Ron traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, and spent two days recording with the band. The album was released in 2010 and received good reviews.

Recent Performances

In the summer of 2023, Ron Holloway played with Gov't Mule during their "Dark Side of the Mule" tour.

Discography

As a Band Leader

With Dizzy Gillespie

Images for kids

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  Tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway during a tour of Russia

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  Ron Holloway playing with Gov't Mule, at The Grand in Wilmington, DE, 2008

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  Ron Holloway in 2007 With Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi's Soul Stew Revival