Glenn Holdaway

Glenn Holdaway is a Los Angeles-based trumpet player, composer and horn arranger whose young career has been clearly influenced by a deep appreciation of Reggae, Jazz and Funk. His keen sense of melody has solidified him as a first-call horn player in the US reggae scene, and is proud to endorse Van Laar Trumpets.

 

Glenn’s career got off to a fast start at 19 years old; under the mentorship of legendary Jamaican bassist Fully Fullwood, he became a touring member of the iconic studio band Soul Syndicate. He quickly gained experience as a performer playing at festivals across the globe, and has since had the opportunity to work with some of Jamaica’s most revered artists including Don Carlos, Wailing Souls, Sister Nancy, Johnny Clarke, Chronixx, Big Youth, Scientist, U-Roy, Leroy Sibbles of the Heptones, David Morrison of the Abyssinians, Garth Dennis of Black Uhuru, Errol Dunkley, Everton Blender, Earl Zero, and Winston Jarrett among many others. He has also worked with artists like Stick Figure, Save Ferris, Tribal Seeds, Cory Henry, Masego, Fortunate Youth, Andy Grammer, Iya Terra, Marlon Asher, Josh Heinrichs & SkillinJah, Elyes Gabel, Trevor Hall, Landon McNamara, Jahgun, Kyle Smith, Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr), Mystic Marley (Granddaughter of Bob Marley), Curtis Young (son of Dr. Dre), Kyle McDonald & Miles Doughty (Slightly Stoopid), Kaleo Wassman (Pepper), Doobie Powell, and many others.

 

Glenn is also a sought-after studio musician and horn section arranger, modeling much of his writing style after his trumpet heroes Jerry Hey and Roy Hargrove. To date, he has played on hundreds of recordings. A few of his most notable accomplishments in the studio include his participation on 2019’s Grammy-nominated album, “Sekou Andrews & the String Theory” as well as 2022's chart-topping album “Wisdom” by Stick Figure.

 

Glenn began writing original music in 2020, marking the release of his first single “Reggaematical.” “Reggaematical” is a tribute to his reggae idols that showcases his bold trumpet tone and strong melodic hooks. The title of the track was inspired by his days touring with Trinidadian artist Marlon Asher, where Marlon would frequently use the word “Reggaematical” as the adjective form of “Reggae.”

 

“Reggaematical” debuted at Number 7 in the Top 10 iTunes Reggae Charts and has since been featured on hundreds of playlists. It has also been played on local and international terrestrial radio stations, such as 104.7 KX FM in Laguna Beach, CA and EJazz Radio, the #1 rated online radio station in Uganda.

 

After the success of his first single, Glenn’s songwriting has evolved to incorporate his funk as jazz influences, culminating in his newest single, "The Scenic Route" (released Feb 2023.) “The Scenic Route” (produced by Glenn Holdaway and Koi Anunta) is comprised of all live instruments and features Chuck Boogie on keys (The Pharcyde), CC Thomas Jr. on bass (Diana Ross), Koi Anunta on violin (In Love & WAR), Liam Roberson on saxophone/flute (Stick Figure), Donnell Spencer Jr. on drums (Stevie Wonder), Carlyle Barriteau on guitar (Bobby Caldwell), and Blake Bartz on percussion (Eureka Sound). Glenn also recruited Vincent Joinville and Pierre Luzy (Ibrahim Maalouf) for mixing and mastering.

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Equipment:

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Van Laar Trumpet: OIRAM II

Bob Reeves Mouthpieces: 42SV692S & 42ES692S

Neumann TLM 103

Apollo Twin X

Logic Pro X

Yamaha Brass: YTR Custom LA

Giddings & Webster Mouthpieces: 3 helios D

MEE In-Ear Monitors: MX3 Custom Fit

Line 6: M9 Stompbox

Eventide: MixingLink

Shure: GLX16, WB98H/C Wireless Microphone & SM7B

Apple: iPad & MacBook Pro 2019

Akai: LPK25