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.
Hollie Farris | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Funk, soul jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, band leader |
| Instrument(s) | Trumpet, vocals |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
Career
editWith James Brown
editFarris 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
editIn 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)
edit| 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 | ||
References
edit- ^ Rolling Stone, Jan. 10, 2007 - Being James Brown: Rolling Stone's 2006 Story By Jonathan Lethem
- ^ Creative Loafing, Jan. 10, 2007 - Hollie Ferris - music director, On James Brown
- ^ My Father the Godfather, By Daryl Brown and Michael P. Chabries - Hollie Farris
- ^ Creative Loafing, Jan. 10, 2007 - Hollie Ferris - music director, On James Brown
- ^ My Father the Godfather, By Daryl Brown and Michael P. Chabries - Hollie Farris
- ^ Creative Loafing, Jan. 10, 2007 - Hollie Ferris - music director, On James Brown
- ^ WBUR-FM, April 07, 2016 - Former James Brown Band Leader: 'James Was Determined To Do Things'
- ^ Chicago Tribune, July 08, 1988 - Steve Winwood By Lynn Van Matre
- ^ Turner Classic Movies - Steve Winwood: Roll With It (1989), Cast & Crew
- ^ Variety, February 1, 2007 - Music Reviews, Joss Stone By Phil Gallo
- ^ AllMusic - Hollie Farris