Camden Community Radio

Wayne Boucaud talks to the legendary Frank Holder, who traces the history of his development as a Jazz musician. Now almost 90 years old and still full of musical ambitions, Frank left Georgetown Guyana as a teenager to join the Royal Air Force. Having entertained troops in the War, he got demobbed in the UK where he found an audience for his playing. By the 1950s, he was playing warm up for the likes of Nat King Cole. He has played alongside Johnny Ray, Eatha Kitt, Johnny Dankworth, Lena Horne, Dudley Moore and Cleo Lane, whose singing he finds hard to equal in today’s artists. He recalls that racism meant band members on tour had to ask the audience for help with accommodation. He worked with guitarist, Shane Hill on the album ‘Interpretations’, which includes a selection from each decade and covers the late local artist, Amy Winehouse. Interview by: Wayne Boucaud Editing: Wayne Boucaud Additional editing: Marian Larragy Frank Holder - jazz Services :: Frank Holder