Bios
Bob Holts conducting "Two O'clock Jump" opening the concert.
ROBERT HOLTS OWNER / CONDUCTOR
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Arranger
Known as “Bob” and sometimes “Phat Elf”, Mr. Holts began receiving formal music training at age 11 from the internationally known clarinetist, Mr. C. P. Weidemann. While in high school Mr. Holts formed his own big band and successfully paid for his college education. During that time, Mr. Holts played in the woodwind section at Sam Houston State University and later at Lamar University where he achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956. While in college and after graduating, Mr. Holts played for the next decade as a “pick up sideman” with many of the notable Big Bands of the era, including primarily Ray Anthony, and Tommy Dorsey. Later, Mr Holts entertained on the cruise ship, President Cleveland. When the Big Band era ended, Mr Holts entered a career with the IBM corporation as a systems analyst and later went on to acheive a Master of Science Degree in educational psychology and counseling. After retirement, Mr. Holts picked up his horns again to play the jazz and swing music he loves for his own enjoyment. At that time he also began studying arranging for Big Bands at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. In the fall of 2006, Mr. Holts felt that the great sounds of Big Band swing and jazz are returning to popularity. He found that there were many accomplished musicians available in the Temecula Valley area and realized that many of them were interested in forming a professional level Big Band. Thus was born the Robert Holts Orchestra.