Charlie Holmes

For other people named Charles Holmes, see Charles Holmes (disambiguation).

Charlie Holmes (January 27, 1910 near Boston, Massachusetts – September 19, 1985 in Stoughton, Massachusetts) was an alto jazz saxophonist of the swing era. He also played clarinet in jazz and oboe for the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra in 1926.

Holmes began playing also saxophone at age 16 and emulated his childhood friend Johnny Hodges style and soon began playing professionally a week later. After moving to New York City he worked for a variety of groups including Luis Russell in 1928. Between 1929 and 1930 he played with Red Allen and is best known for composing "Sugar Hill Foundation". He would work with Russell again a few times and in 1932 joined the Mills Blue Rhythm Band. He was also in the John Kirby's Sextet, Cootie Williams' Orchestra and Louis Armstrong's band for much of the next two decades. He left music in 1951 and did not return for twenty years. He returned to work in Clyde Bernhardt's Harlem Blues & Jazz Band and later played for the Swedish band Kustbandet. He never acted as a leader in any recording or group.

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