Redd Holt, a drummer who in the 1960s, before jazz fusion became a popular term, struck a beat that had both the kick of funk and the delicacy of jazz on a number of surprisingly popular instrumental tunes, died on May 23 in Chicago.
The death, at a hospital, was caused by complications of lung cancer, his son Reginald said.
Mr. Holt scored his biggest hit as the drummer with the pianist Ramsey Lewis’s trio, whose original lineup also included Eldee Young on bass.
The Lewis Trio version superseded Mr. Gray’s, reaching the top of the Billboard R&B chart and No.
Their “‘In’ Crowd” won the 1965 Grammy Award for best instrumental jazz performance by a small group or soloist.
Persons:
Redd Holt, Reginald, Holt, Ramsey Lewis’s, Eldee Young, —, Dobie Gray, Lewis, Gray’s, ”
Organizations:
Billboard
Locations:
Chicago