Richard “Groove” Holmes: Groove was born in Camden, New Jersey, across the river from the Jazz organ capital of the world (Philadelphia), on May 2, 1931. He was primarily a bass player who switched to the Hammond organ without formal training on the piano. His self-taught style was infectious with its strong bass line under each tune. He worked in small clubs in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area until he was discovered by Les McCann in 1960. He started receiving national attention by recording with such greats as Ben Webster and Gene Ammons.
Les McCann played a key role in Groove's career when in 1960 he met up with him in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, restaurant. "I remember going to look for him, and I was told to look in this little restaurant--and it's one of the soul kinda places with greens and beans--and I walked in and I saw this huge person sitting at the table and the whole table was covered. I thought l could eat! But when I saw this! And then the capper was that he asked for a Diet Coke. I started laughing, and we hit it off right away somehow."
He recorded many albums for Pacific Jazz, Prestige, Groove Merchant, and Muse. He was very well-liked and revered by other musicians and organists especially.
A heart attack claimed his life at the age of 60 on June 29, 1991 in St. Louis, Missouri, after a long struggle with prostate cancer. One of his last gigs he performed in a wheelchair at the 1991 Chicago Blues Festival with his long-time friend, singer Jimmy Witherspoon.