Alley Cat Strut Oscar Holden -

, "Alley Cat Strut" is actually a fictional centerpiece of Jamie Ford’s celebrated novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Here is where the history gets complicated and controversial. For decades, musicologists and jazz archivists have argued that the famous 1960s Alley Cat Song (the one with the "doot-doot-doot" melody that won a Grammy for Best Instrumental in 1963) bears a striking resemblance to Holden’s earlier work. alley cat strut oscar holden

In the age of algorithmic playlists, why does this specific search term persist? , "Alley Cat Strut" is actually a fictional

Did have lyrics? Oral history suggests yes. Seattle jazz historian Paul de Barros, in his book "Jackson Street After Dark," recalls that Holden would sometimes sing nonsense verses over the piano during late-night sets at the Washington Social Club . Did have lyrics

Oscar set his trumpet case down on the wet pavement. He reached into his deep coat pocket and pulled out a crumpled paper bag. Inside was a remainder of a corned beef sandwich from the deli on Yesler.

Because no actual recording by Oscar Holden exists in history, musician Steve Griggs created a real-life version for his Panama Hotel Jazz Composition Style