Rifftides readers may recall that three years ago I was asked to spend a few days in Los Angeles interviewing Bill Holman for a documentary about his life and music. The dean of living jazz arrangers is 90 years old, still at the helm of his big band and the idol of arrangers around the world who continue to benefit from his example. The film, produced by his step-daughter Kathryn King—a seasoned information and video pro—is unfinished because its budget is underfunded. Ms. King has reinvigorated her financing campaign.
As I wrote in 2014 after returning from my participation in the filming,
That is how many arts projects are accomplished these days when they don’t have the backing of big investors. As one who in his television days wrote and produced a number of documentaries, I was impressed with the skill and savvy of Ms. King, her director Gil Gilbert and their helpers. She has put herself on a tight schedule to complete the funding. I wish her well. It should be self-evident that Bill Holman’s accomplishments and his enrichment of America’s culture—and the world’s—need documentation.
I hope that Rifftides readers who cherish Bill Holman’s indispensable contribution to the music will give serious consideration to Ms. King’s plea for support. This video has her message.
The campaign to fund the Holman project provides for donations on a scale beginning at $25.00 US. This website has the details of how to go about helping Ms. King complete the film.