Alley Cat Strut Oscar Holden !exclusive! Jun 2026

This real place of hidden secrets and forgotten stories provides the perfect, haunting backdrop for Ford’s novel.

Holden quickly established himself as a musical titan. He possessed a deep classical background seamlessly fused with a stride piano style reminiscent of Fats Waller.

One of the most famous clubs where Holden played, this venue (and others like it) allowed integrated audiences to enjoy music, which was rare for the time. alley cat strut oscar holden

Though no historical recording by the actual Oscar Holden exists, musician composed a rendition of "Alley Cat Strut" as part of the Panama Hotel Jazz project.

in the 1920s and 30s—a place where music bridged racial divides even when the law didn't. It reminds us that sometimes, a "fictional" song is the best way to keep a very real history from being forgotten. This real place of hidden secrets and forgotten

The main theme is catchy without being cloying. It uses chromatic slides and bluesy grace notes that mimic a cat’s stretch and slink. You’ll likely find yourself humming it after one listen.

Oscar wasn’t just a musician; he was a custodian of the city’s soul, a living bridge between the jazz age of the 1920s and the gritty present. Tonight, he wasn’t heading to a gig at The Triple Door or a private party on Queen Anne. Tonight, he was answering a different call. One of the most famous clubs where Holden

The song matters because it represents a specific time and place: It is the sound of a black artist creating culture in a frontier town, far from the bright lights of New Orleans or New York.

Did you grow up hearing Oscar Holden play around Seattle? Or do you just love a good piano stride? Drop a 🎹 in the comments if this is your kind of swing!

The Hidden Groove of Seattle: Oscar Holden and the "Alley Cat Strut" If you’ve ever walked past the Panama Hotel