Hollie Farris
GenresFunk, soul jazz,
Occupation(s)Musician, band leader
Instrument(s)Trumpet, vocals
Years active1960s–present

Hollie Farris is a professional musician, a trumpet player who has played and recorded with James Brown and was a member of The J.B.'s. He is the co-composer of "Standing On Higher Ground" which appears on the Love Over-Due album by Brown. He has played on Colour Me Free! and The Soul Sessions Vol. 2 albums by Joss Stone. He was also a member of Steve Winwoods touring band.

Career

With James Brown

Farris would end up playing with James Brown, playing trumpet, adding vocals and eventually becoming music director in the band.[1] The relationship began in 1975 when Farris was located Nashville. He was playing with his band in an Atlanta hotel lounge when James Brown came in and heard them play. He hired Farris immediately.[2] During the course of his involvement with Brown, in the 1970s, when Muhammad Ali was having his first fight with Leon Spinks, Farris and the band were invited to Ali's suite after a sparring session and spent 2 hours talking to him. Farris was caught off guard by Ali's humor.[3] In 1986 he became the music director which included the duties of rehearsing the band, adding new songs to be worked with etc.[4] After spending eight years with Brown, Farris quit after a series of bad experiences and stayed away for seven years. He would return to the band after Brown was released from prison and stay with him for another sixteen years.[5] By 2007, Farris had spent 20 years in that role.[6] Ferris's musical relationship with Brown lasted until the singers passing.[7]

Other artists

In 1988, he was a member of Steve Winwoods backing band that also featured saxophonist Randall Bramblett, guitarist Anthony Cranford, drummer Russ Kunkel, keyboardist Mike Lawler, backing vocalist LeAnn Phelan, and bassist Michael Rhodes.[8] Farris appeared in the 1989 Roll with It music video by Winwood.[9]

In 2007, he was a member of Joss Stone's backing band.[10]

Appearances / session work (selective)

Artist Title Release info Year Track(s) Role Notes
Gordon Payne Gordon Payne A&M 4725 1978 Trumpet
James Brown Love Over-Due Scotti Brothers 32084 1991 Composer, alto sax, trumpet
Denny Jiosa Body 2 Body 1201 Music 5018 2002 Composer, flugelhorn, trumpet
Denny Jiosa Dreams Like This CD Baby / Sonic Canvas SC0312 2008 Main Personnel, trumpet
Denny Jiosa Moving Pictures Blo Records 0000002502 1995 Composer, trumpet

[11]

References

  1. ↑ Rolling Stone, Jan. 10, 2007 - Being James Brown: Rolling Stone's 2006 Story By Jonathan Lethem
  2. ↑ Creative Loafing, Jan. 10, 2007 - Hollie Ferris - music director, On James Brown
  3. ↑ My Father the Godfather, By Daryl Brown and Michael P. Chabries - Hollie Farris
  4. ↑ Creative Loafing, Jan. 10, 2007 - Hollie Ferris - music director, On James Brown
  5. ↑ My Father the Godfather, By Daryl Brown and Michael P. Chabries - Hollie Farris
  6. ↑ Creative Loafing, Jan. 10, 2007 - Hollie Ferris - music director, On James Brown
  7. ↑ WBUR-FM, April 07, 2016 - Former James Brown Band Leader: 'James Was Determined To Do Things'
  8. ↑ Chicago Tribune, July 08, 1988 - Steve Winwood By Lynn Van Matre
  9. ↑ Turner Classic Movies - Steve Winwood: Roll With It (1989), Cast & Crew
  10. ↑ Variety, February 1, 2007 - Music Reviews, Joss Stone By Phil Gallo
  11. ↑ AllMusic - Hollie Farris
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