Laurie Holloway

Laurence Holloway MBE (born 31 March 1938)^[1] is an English pianist, musical director and composer from Oldham, Lancashire, England.^[2] In the 1970s he was the Musical Director for the singer Englebert Humperdinck, and (from 1998) for the television talk show Parkinson. In 2004 he was the original MD for the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Career

Laurie Holloway was born in Oldham and began playing piano at the age of four, taking his first formal lessons aged seven. Aged 12 he was the organist and choirmaster at his local church. He began performing at ballroom dances and turned professional in 1954 when he joined Syd Willmott and his Band as a pianist. He later played with Geraldo on cruise ships, with the Cyril Stapleton band, and then as a studio session musician, playing on many tracks, including on Downtown by Petula Clark with musical director Tony Hatch in 1964. He was musical director for Englebert Humperdinck from 1970 to 1975, working on his albums and touring the US, including Las Vegas.^[3]

Holloway became more associated with jazz after working as musical director for the singer

His professional association with Michael Parkinson (a Berkshire neighbor and friend) began in 1998 when be became musical director of the Parkinson chat show. He worked on the show until 2004 for BBC, and when the show transferred to ITV from 2004 to 2007. ^[7] Starting in 2004 he was also Musical Director for the first three series of the popular dance show Strictly Come Dancing, for which he provided many arrangements every week.

He has been awarded the Gold Badge of Merit by the

Holloway was married to the singer Marion Montgomery from 1965^[5] until her death in 2002.^[10] They have a daughter, Abigail (born 1967).^[11] He lives in The Fisheries, Bray, Berkshire.^[7]

Discography

• Jazz Box Jazz 1957
• Instant Marriage, 1964 West End musical
• Hit Parade Holloway Style 1966
• Good Time 1967
• The Great Piano Hits Holloway Style 1967
• Piano On The Roof 1967
• Marian In The Morning 1972
• Cumulus 1979
• Brandenburg Boogie
• About Time 1993
• Blue Skies & Other Vistas 1996
• Showtime (Elgin)
• Laurie Holloway Trio: live at Abbey Road 2000 (Grasmere Records)
• Laurie Holloway - The Piano Player 2004 (Universal Records)
• Strictly Come Dancing – Bruce Forsyth & the Laurie Holloway Orchestra 2004 (Sony Records)^[12]

References