Hollis Gentry III burst onto San Diego’s jazz music scene in the late 1970s. His handsome looks and searing saxophone solos quickly made him San Diego’s most popular player. The Crawford High and UCSD grad garnered a huge local following in clubs like the legendary Crossroads. Later, along with childhood friend Carl Evans, he co-founded the group Fattburger. Later, Hollis Gentry’s “Neon” packed clubs across the country.
“Regrettably, he never got the wide acclaim that you and I and anyone who heard him would have hope he would have had, but I think people who heard him play knew that he ranked right up there,” Union-Tribune music critic George Varga said.
Hollis Gentry toured with Al Jarreau, Larry Carlton and Joe Sample. Hollis was a player’s player who caught the ear of internationally-acclaimed saxophone artist Charles McPherson.
“Hollis was very good, very talented,” McPherson said. “I think he was very natural as a player. I think he had a natural talent.”
Recently Hollis had been rehabbing from a rollover accident that nearly took his life just over a year ago. He was showing signs of improvement and hoped someday to play again. But his health deteriorated in recent weeks. He entered hospice and died in his Valencia Park home Tuesday evening shortly after 7 in the evening. He was a great musician, and a good friend.
“It’s a tragic thing that his demise was so early, but in the time he was here, I think he had a good time and he made a lot of people feel good,” McPherson said.
Hollis Gentry III was 51.
kfmb.com
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