John L. Holloway recounts his almost forty years as a high school band director and jazz musician in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Holloway describes moving from Durham, North Carolina to Charlotte in 1950 after completing his education to teach at West Charlotte High School, which was segregated at the time. Topics discussed include teaching students in marching band; introducing students to jazz; the establishment of his band, Johnny Holloway and the Hi-Tones; and performing at the Excelsior Club. Mr. Holloway describes integration at West Charlotte High School during the late 1960s and 1970s and the positive impact that it had on other schools and school bands in Charlotte.
