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Disco Music > Disco People Index > DJs / Remixers > Dwayne Holt
Dwayne Holt
New York Disco DJ
Born in 1962, Dwayne Holt was raised in the Bronx, New York, surrounded by music and musicians. His father was an R&B singer and founding member of the famous 70ís Soul Group ´†The Joneses†ª and his mother, a Rock and Roll singer and member of the 60ís and 70ís legendary ´†Young Rascals†ª Band. His passion for Soul, R&B and Disco pushed him very early into the music industry.
1975-1978
(Meeting with the Disco masters)
In 1975, at the age of 13, his encyclopaedia like knowledge of Dance music and his 5000 records collection amazed Simon BOLTON, owner of Crazy Music, at the time, New Yorkís number one Records Store for DJs. Bolton proposed Dwayne to DJ at his store after school, then in 1976, hired him as a salesman also. It was there that he first met with the original New York Disco masters. Producer Tom MOULTON, who invented the 12 inch maxi single, Walter GIBBONS, the genius remixer for the legendary Salsoul Records, DJ Larry LEVAN, from the famous Paradise Garage and David MANCUSO, DJ and owner of New Yorkís main underground Club, the Loft, quickly pushed him into the Disco Scene, using him as their Record consultant.
1979-1981
(New York Scene)
In 1979, Dwayne Holt got his first job as a DJ in a New York Club (Empire Roller-skating Rink, Brooklyn). Still working as a record salesman, he continued to supply top New York DJs with their latest material. Dwayne went on to play at Clubs like Xenon, Visage, Channel 80, Metro 700, and the Roxy, all top New York Clubs in the early 80ís.
1981- 1985
(Studio 54, New York)
In 1981, came Holtís biggest break as a DJ, when he was asked to do a night at the word famous Studio 54. After being a guest DJ for four months, he was asked to replace the original resident DJ of the Club, Richie KACZOR. During his four years at Studio 54, besides being the resident DJ, he played countless private parties for New Yorkís jet set crowd and people like Lisa MINELLI, Grace JONES, Debbie Harry, Rick JAMES, Diana ROSS, MADONNA, Donald TRUMP, New York Mayor Ed KOCH, etc. During the mid 80ís, Dwayne Holt also did some studio remixes, like Michael JACKSONís ´†Wanna be starting something†ª, Dance music promotion for the Prelude Records label, and choreographed music for Calvin KLEIN and HALSTON Fashion Shows.
1986-1990
(Stockholm; New York Scenes)
After Studio 54 closed its doors, Dwayne was offered a six months contract in Sweden, at the Daily News Cafe, in Stockholm. He returned to the New York scene in 1986. He played as a regular DJ at Clubs Area, Palladium and Dancetaria. Besides his Manhattan gigs, he was regularly spinning in the New York summertime hot spot Fire Island, at the Pavillion and the Ice Palace.
1990-1993
(Montreal, New York Scenes)
In 1990, Holt moved to Montreal, Canada, where, for three years, besides playing in Clubs Quasimodo and Metropolis, he hosted his own radio show on Radio Station CKUT FM (a four-hour program, four times a week). House music, R&B, and Disco were the focus. He went back periodically to New York as a guest DJ at Sound Factory Bar and Club USA).
1994-1996
(Los Angeles Scene)
At the end of 1993, after 3 years in Montreal, Holt relocated to the Los Angeles scene, where he performed until 1996, as resident DJ at the Club Qís in Pasadena and as a regular guest DJ at the Roxbury Sunset Blvd. He also operated a mobile DJ service for private parties.
1997-2004
(New York, Florida, Europe)
Back to New York in 1997, he returned as a guest DJ for the the Shelter and Twilo. From 1998 to 2001, he moved between New York and South Florida, where he was a regular guest DJ at the Epic, in Key West, and played private parties in Miami. Since 2003, he is taking a break from the american scene, except for private parties and special events in New York and Florida. He is in the process of writing of a book and a radio project dedicated to History of Dance Music. He is also collaborating, as a musical and technical expert, to the writing of the biography and history of the French Disco and Dance pioneer composer, drummer and producer Marc Cerrone, and is collaborating with him on various production projects. He lives between New York and Europe, and still plays in various clubs as a guest DJ, in Brussels, London, and New York.
CONTACT / BOOKING:
USA/Canada:
E mail: dwayneholt@hotmail.com
Europe (Paris/Brussels/London/Amsterdam):
E mail†: HYPERLINK "mailto:dwayneholt@hotmail.com" dwayneholt@hotmail.com or Tel.: 32 475 21 34 60 (cell) or 32 2 245 40 89
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Dwayne Holt bio kindly provided by Sylvie van den Wildenberg of Belgium.
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COMMENTS ON Dwayne Holt
Dwanyne is truly a gift from the gods. He has set the soundtrack of my life. From the original disco days till now his musical taste has sensationalised certain reference points like a favorite colonge. Thank you Dwayne for your contribution to the music industry and my general well being.
David Hutchinson
ruffyy@juno.com
The Palladium in particular.
Dwayne has absolutely one of the best DJ ears I have ever had the privilege of hearing in my life, and thanks to him I got my chance to spin at Studio 54 on Thorens Turntables. Remember those Dwayne!! And remember Hi-Tech Music on Bleeker Street!!!
Check me out at www.hollywooddjs.com
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