In 1971, Holmquist joined the Swiss Radio big band, and in 1976, he moved to Berlin as a member of the RIAS (Radio In The American Sector) big band. In 1978, he became a member of the James Last Orchestra, a position he held until 2013. Over the years, he has also toured and recorded with many other acts, such as Kai Warner, Freddy Quinn, Jerry Lewis, Manhattan Transfer and Lill Lindfors.[1]