Tom Holland

FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR PRESENTS:TOM HOLLAND & THE SHUFFLEKINGS Tom Holland grew up on Chicagos south side and was influenced by the citys rich jazz and blues heritage from a very young age. His fathers love of music and vast record collection was the catalyst for Toms love of music, especially blues. He began playing guitar at age 13, learning by listening to Muddy Waters tapes, LPs, and CDs. Tom cites Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker, John Primer and Magic Slim as his greatest influences. By the time he turned 18 Tom was ready to start learning from the musicians on the Chicago blues scene. He started playing professionally in Chicago at age 19, landing his first gig with L.V. Banks, in a beauty salon on Chicagos south side. He worked with L.V. Banks on and off for four years. It was also during this time that Tom was introduced to Muddy Waters last guitarist, John Primer. John took him under his wing, and proceeded to give him an education in blues guitar. Tom toured the United States and Canada for two years with John as a member of his band, the Real Deal Blues Band. While in the band he recorded the 1998 Wolf Records release Its a Blues Life. This was his first time in a recording studio and certainly not his last. It was also during this time that he formed the first incarnation of his own group The Shuffle Kings. As the year 2000 approached Tom took his place as one of the top sidemen in Chicago.In late 1999 Tom was asked to join Chicago blues guitarist Eddy The Chief Clearwaters band. He toured with Eddy Clearwater for three years as the bandleader, and toured across the U.S., Canada, and made his first trip to Europe. He freelanced with Carey Bell, Phil Guy, A.C. Reed, Atlanta vocalist Sandra Hall, and countless other Chicago bluesmen and women.In November of 2003 he was approached by harp legend James Cotton, who was in need of a guitar player. He accepted and toured with James for 12 years. Tom played on both of James Cottons Grammy Nominated releases, Giant, and Cotton Mouth Man, both on alligator Records.In 2013 Tom took the band back into the studio, recording No Fluff, Just the Stuff, on his own E Natchel Records imprint, which garnered rave reviews.2013 also saw Tom get inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame.With over 25 years of stage experience under his belt, Tom Holland is, without a doubt one of the finest purveyors of classic Chicago Blues guitar styles. Enjoy Dinner From BABYGOLD BARBECUE ***PARKING***There is rather limited street parking in the area, we recommend arriving by rideshare, bicycle, or rickshaw.