A fine trumpet soloist who never became a major name, Peanuts Holland was a talented journeyman whose style was based in swing. Holland learned trumpet while at Jenkins' Orphanage, played with Alphonse Trent's legendary outfit (with whom he recorded) on and off during 1928-33 and also had stints with Al Sears (1932 in Buffalo), the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Willie Bryant, Jimmie Lunceford and Lil Armstrong's Big Band (1935-36). After more freelancing including frequently leading his own band, Holland moved to New York City in 1939 where he was a member of Coleman Hawkins' short-lived orchestra and Fletcher Henderson's Big Band (1941). He gained the most recognition of his career for his work with Charlie Barnet (1941-46) during which he recorded fairly frequently. After visiting Europe with Don Redman's big band in 1946, Holland decided to stay overseas, spending the remainder of his life performing on the Continent, most often in Paris and Scandinavia. Peanuts Holland led recording sessions overseas during 1946-48, 1950-52, 1954, 1957 and 1959-60; 46 titles in all for European labels. ~ Scott Yanow