Rockford Holmes began his musical studies at the age of 9, beginning with the clarinet and subsequently the saxophone, oboe and flute. By the age of 15 he was playing professionally and by 19 on tour with the Eddy Howard Orchestra.
He graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1985 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition, and went on to complete graduate work in Music Theory in 1988. He has been a professional musician in Hawaii since 1977.
His extensive list of credits include performances with such greats as Michael McDonald, Sergio Mendes, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Matthew Morrison, Aaron Neville, Natalie Cole, Dave Koz, Eddie Henderson, Gerardo Velez, Jack Jones, Rita Moreno, Jane Oliver, Little Anthony, The Cherelles, The Temptations, The Four Tops, as well as local talents Henry Kapono, Kit Samson, Anita Hall, Sonya Mendez, Jimmy Borges, Azure McCall, Shari Lynn, Tennyson Stevens, Tommy James, Paradise and Company, Keahiwai, Fiji, SwampaZZ , Rebel Souljahz, the Del Courtney Orchestra, Don Tiki, and Matt Catingub and The Hawaii Pops Orchestra. He was the musical director for the Wally Amos Show.
As an accomplished studio musician, Rocky has worked on countless commercial recording projects both locally and nationally. He is featured on the Ensemble Pacific series with grammy-award winning guitarist Charles Brotman, pianist Karl Kasberg. He has appeared as a guest lecturer for some of the KIPO jazz workshops and has also given clinics on woodwind performance and practice for the Jazz in the School series.
The Rockford Holmes' Duo with Maggie Herron as well as The Brothers Casanova with Danny Del Negro featuring Rocky on the flute, clarinet and saxophone is in ever- increasing demand for special private functions, and can be enjoyed in a club setting at Lewers Lounge in the Halekulani Hotel. Rocky and Pumehana Davis, as a flute and harp duo, are a delightful combination where elegance and sophistication are appreciated.
From classical to contemporary styles, from solo to symphonic performance, Rocky entertains with the kind of presence found only among the world's most gifted performers.