Frank Holder’s career has spanned over 70 years. Early in his career he recorded for major record labels including PYE , London records Parlophone and Esquire. He is truly a legend of the British jazz scene since his work with John Dankworth and Leslie Jiver Hutchinson in the late 40s and early 50s. He has over the years garnered respect from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Billy Ekstine, Lena Horne and Cleo Laine. Having appeared on the same bill as many of these singers he is in the vanguard of the best UK male jazz singers and his scat singing is renowned. He is also a fine intuitive Latin American Jazz percussionist, specialising in bongos and conga drums which has led to a colourful array of percussion studio sessions including recording and touring with sax legends Tubby Hayes and Joe Harriot. Holder’s professionalism is best described by the following quote by Dame Cleo Laine, “Frank has always been a great showman. Indeed, he taught me how to walk the fine line between making contact with an audience and keeping your integrity as a singer with a jazz group.” This collection of tracks which, apart from classic standards, also features some originals and versions of popular songs, shows that any good melody can inspire a seasoned artist to improvise. Holder is accompanied by guitarist Shane Hill who not only wrote a book about the legendary American guitarist Tal Farlow but also was mentored by him. A graduate of Leeds College of Music he has recorded and appeared with many of the UK’s top players including Martin Drew, Dave O’Higgins, Jason Rebello, Tina May, Dave Markee, Don Weller and Dave Green. He has also taken the role of arranger, producer on these cuts. Over the years he has been involved in many commercially released latin and jazz recordings as co-founder of the production company and studio band Kymaera with guitarist Simon James , who founded the GRP Records super group Acoustic Alchemy. In the words of Louis Stewart, former guitarist with Benny Goodman, George Shearing and Ronnie Scott, “Shane plays with sensitivity sophistication and maturity.” No album of this kind would be complete without some guest soloists. Peter King plays some captivating alto sax solos on four songs including a tribute blues to John Dankworth. This is very relevant as both he and Frank Holder have great memories of their days on the road with Dankworth. Former John Coltrane Band drummer Elvin Jones sums up King’s stature as an improviser very well with this quote, “A wonderful musician, Peter King of course, is a master of his instrument. People are aware of that in America as well as England.” Dick Pearce plays some characteristically lyrical flugel horn on You are the Sunshine of my Life and It’s Just as Hard for Me. Highly respected Pearce toured the world as a member of the Ronnie Scott Quintet. In the words of the late Oscar Peterson, “Look at the trumpet player with Ronnie Scott tonight, Dick Pearce. Tremendously talented. I called home to a couple of friends of mine about him.” Some compulsive swing violin is provided by Peter Cook on Lady Be Good. He has worked with Shane Hill for some years but has only recently had the opportunity to trade licks with Frank Holder, a spectacle that drew admiration from leading jazz violinist Mike Piggott who happened to be in the audience. Val Manix plays some excellent double bass having in the past played with the likes of Courtney Pine, Darius Brubeck and Scott Hamilton to mention but a few. He has also toured extensively with the prodigious sax virtuoso Gilad Atzmon. Noel Joyce plays kit and percussion blending well with Holder’s conga and shaker grooves. Working with London’s jazz elite he can often be seen with UK jazz guitarist Nigel Price and organist Ross Stanley. His contribution is both sensitive and dynamic. Duncan Lamont ( Senior ) jazz composer, author and award winning songwriter. February 2012 Review from august copy of JAZZ JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL 2012 by award winning jazz critic Dave Gelly " It just doesn’t seem possible that this can be the voice of an 87-year old man. Frank Holder was a good singer 60 years ago, with the Johnny Dankworth Seven, and he has scarcely changed at all. In fact I think he has improved, if anything, especially when it comes to scat singing. As to the material, there are certainly a few good old good ones here, but everything is not quite as it seems. Cherry, for instance, isn’t Don Redman, it’s Amy Winehouse, and I Cried For You isn’t Arthur Freed and Gus Arnheim, it’s Katie Melua. There’s also a very nice Holder original and two by Shane Hill. Add to that the notable presence of Dick Pearce and Peter King and some neat, imaginative arrangements and the result is one of the best self-produced CDs I’ve heard in a long time. And, finally, isn’t it about time that Frank Holder got some kind of award? Lifetime Achievement? Human Phenomenon? ' Dave Gelly