Ross, Holli [Holli Susan Wassar], jazz vocalist, guitarist, educator, lyricist; b. Forest Hills, NY, 16 November 1956. Her family moved to Buffalo, NY when she was a baby. Her father, Bernard Wasser (b. 1935. She was a Julliard graduate and a bassoonist, and performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic. They moved to Roslyn Heights, NY when she was three years old. Her father played with the American Symphony under Leopold Stokowski. Kandi Wasser, Kandi’s mother (b. Solna Kane in 1935), was a classical guitarist who had studied under Albert Valdes Blane. Holli, Ron, Debra and their three siblings (Ron b. 1959; Debra, b. 1961; Ed, b. 1964), were all taught music lessons at the age of seven. Holli started playing the flute and guitar when she was seven years old. She then switched to bassoon at age thirteen. Holli sang in school choirs, specialized groups and Allstate choruses during this time. At 11 years old, Holli was hired to record children’s albums by ABC Music Book Company. Holli was thirteen when she was first exposed to jazz at HS. She continued her studies in bassoon and later majored in it. However, she began performing with local jazz groups and delved deeper into jazz music. Holli was 15 when she attended the University of Vermont’s summer music session. There, she studied bassoon under William Polisi (NBC orchestra). Dennis Wilson, a trombonist, discovered her and had her perform in various ensembles throughout New York. Holli was a bassoon major at New England Conservatory of Music in 1974. She quickly became a singer with Phil Wilson’s big b ands. Holli moved to Mannes college in music a year later. There she was awarded a scholarship to study under Harold Goltzer (NY Philharmonic principal bassoonist). She then earned her degree and continued to teach guitar. Holli continued to pursue jazz studies at Mannes with Jack Reiley (75-79), and with Warne Marsh (80-83) over the next few years. Jon Hendricks, a singing legend, was attracted to her. He allowed her to sit in on his performances but she was unable to do any work. Holli continued her traditional vocal training with NY legends Maurice Jampol and Anthony DiLeva. Holli also studied musical theater with Hal Holden at Herbert Bergoff Studio (80-83). Holli formed String of Pearls in 1984. She still records and performs with them regularly. She also recorded and performed with Washington DC-based quartet Mad Romance, and New York-based quintet 5 Steps Beyond. (formerly Group Five, which was made up of the top jingle singing artists today). Holli was discovered by Donald Johnston, a pianist, and Wolfgang Lackerschmid, a vibrophonist. She was then invited to record their compositions, and later tour Europe. Holli has performed as both a solo and ensemble singer at many venues, including New Orleans’ Snug Harbor and California’s Monterey Jazz Festival. She also appeared at NY’s JVC and the Blue Note. Festival Lyrique in Belle Ile, France, Philadelphia Pops Orchestra under Peter Nero and Mary Lou Williams’ Women in Jazz Festival in the Kennedy Center. Holli started teaching voice and directing vocal ensembles after being asked to do so at the Horace Mann School. She also taught at City College, where she ran a music performance workshop. Soon, she was asked to lead a performance workshop at Mannes College of Music as well as join Hofstra University’s voice faculty (Mannes since 1992 and Hofstra since 1994). These positions are still held by Holli, as well as her current teaching position at the Port Washington Music House. Holli is a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators and has been invited by them to perform. Holli has also conducted clinics in Jan Jose, CA, Augsburg Germany, and Jan Jose, CA. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Her goal is to specialize in voice disorders and continue teaching and performing. Holli is a published songwriter with ASCAP and GEMA. She has written lyrics for compositions by Miles Davis, Roger Kellaway and Harold Danko. Holli’s songs were recorded by Meredith D’Ambrosio and Diane Hubka. String of Pearls, 5 Steps Beyond, and Mark Murphy. Holli lyricized a song by Sarah Vaughan in May 2000. It was performed by Carmen Bradford and the Count Basie Band. Later, it aired on National Public Radio. Holli was married to Daniel Gibbons, Assistant US Attourney in 1998. They have a daughter Hannah Elizabeth (b. Retrieved from http://www.jazz.com
