Isaac “Redd” Holt was the founding drummer with the Grammy Award-winning Ramsey Lewis Trio.
- Died: May 23, 2023 (Who else died on May 23?)
- Details of death: Died in Chicago after fighting cancer at the age of 91.
- We invite you to share condolences for Isaac “Redd” Holt in our Guest Book.
Isaac “Redd” Holt’s legacy
Holt began playing jazz with pianist Ramsey Lewis (1935–2022) while they were in high school together. After serving in the U.S. Army, Holt returned to record with Lewis and Eldee Young (1936–2007), releasing their first album in 1956. The 1965 Ramsey Lewis Trio album “The In Crowd” was a chart-topping success that won the group a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance.
The trio disbanded in 1966, and Holt and Young formed Young-Holt Unlimited, playing instrumental soul music. They had a hit in 1969 with “Soulful Strut,” and they also recorded “Am I the Same Girl” with vocals by Barbara Acklin (1943–1998). Their music was widely sampled by hip-hop artists including De La Soul, Ice-T, and the Beastie Boys. Holt later continued making music as Redd Holt Unlimited. He played regularly in Chicago and toured internationally.
Tributes to Isaac “Redd” Holt
Full obituary: Pitchfork
