: Born in Nashville, he moved to Seattle in 1919. He was a master of the piano and saxophone, performing in prominent venues along Jackson Street, including the famous Black and Tan Club.

You need emotional depth or high-energy swing.

You may not realize it, but you have likely heard the DNA of in other places. Dave Brubeck , who spent time in the Army during WWII near the West Coast, once cited Holden as a "forgotten influence" on his use of odd meters. When you hear the piano in "Take Five," you can faintly hear the ghost of the "Alley Cat Strut" in the left-hand ostinato.

Do you have a memory of hearing the Holden Brothers live? Or perhaps you own a rare pressing of the original 78? Let us know in the comments below—and keep strutting.

The is built on three distinct pillars:

Oscar Holden may never have recorded "Alley Cat Strut" on a phonograph, but the song lives on in the collective imagination of those who love Seattle history and jazz. It is a testament to the power of storytelling—how a fictional song, placed in the right context, can perfectly embody the spirit of a real artist and a lost era.

A low, drawn-out yowl echoed from the shadows near the brewery.

Do you have a memory of hearing "Alley Cat Strut" on an old radio show or in a vintage film? Share your story in the comments below. And for more deep dives on forgotten jazz pioneers, subscribe to the newsletter.

Known for his incredible talent, he was a singer, clarinet player, and pianist who could play in venues that often excluded other Black musicians.