Freddie T. Holt, prominent professional musician, educator, composer, arranger, trumpeter and bandleader was honored by the Tennessee Rhythm and Blues Society and a host of friends, family, and well wishers at Carol Anns Restaurant/Lounge in Nashville on August 20.
As part of the celebration, Tenn. state Rep. Brenda Gilmore presented Holt with two proclamations from the state of Tennessee. B.B. King and Tommy Peters sent a monogrammed jacket as a gift, and a host of merchants and businesses sent gifts to Holt and some even pledged support for his music program at his local school.
“Freddie Holt is a great and dedicated musician,” said Leonard Morton, Sr. “I have followed his career up to this point, going all the way back to his performing in the public school system here as a student. I am here because he is a huge asset to music and to the community.”
Holt, a native of Nashville, is known nationally as one of the great young trumpeters/entertainers in America today. Holt has toured extensively and performed with or opened shows for such luminaries as Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Mary J. Blige, The Temptations, Ringling Bros. Circus, Raleigh Civic Symphony, Trinitee 5-7, Lenny Williams, Patti LaBelle, Slide Hampton, Johnny Guitar Watson, Denise LaSalle, Stevie Wonder and numerous others. Holt performed/appeared as a cornetist in the Shug Avery Band in the movie The Color Purple.
Several local professional musicians and groups performed rocking renditions of R&B, Jazz, and Blues hits to an appreciative crowd. The feature of the night came with the ‘After 5 Tux Band’ feat. Freddie T. Holt hit the stage and performed to an overflow, standing-room-only crowd. The group brought down the house with renditions of Jazz, Blues, and R&B tunes.
“Tonight we made history,” said Holt. “It’s time to make more history—another celebration, another ceremony, another educated child.”
Holt has been associated with exceptional band programs and experiences on the university, high school, middle school, and even elementary school music levels. He serves in the capacities of arranger, composer, clinician, and private tutor of brass and has taught at several universities, among them Delaware State Univ., Savannah State Univ., Johnson C. Smith Univ. and TSU. Holt has performed in the idioms of Classical, Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Rock, and other styles.
“Freddie came in and set the tone for the band,” said Jimmy Church, recalling his first encounter with Holt on the bandstand at one of his revue performances. “He came on stage and took charge of an inexperienced horn section and knew exactly what to do and gave me the sound that I needed!”
Holt’s mother, Mrs. Lelian Buchanan said: “When Freddie and Eddie, my other son, would practice, some people discouraged the daily practice routine of the two budding musicians. I tried to instill a desire to better themselves.”
Thirteen colleges and universities presented scholarship offers by his senior year of high school.
For more information about Freddie T. Holt/After 5 Tux Band call: 615-400-8415; or e-mail: fth55555@yahoo.com
