By: Rudy Lu
Houston Person is 91 years old. He is welll known as a melodic swinging saxophone player. His sound is firmly rooted in the Swing, post Bop and Soul Jazz traditions.
The other Person is a more contemporary jazzman. Eric (no relation) crosses genres with regularity. At 62, He is known for his work with the World Saxophone Quartet , Ronald Shannon Jackson as well as Vernon Reid, Bootsy Collins as well as traditional Jazz gigs such as this one,
The two saxophonists started playing together in 2009. A CD entitled Blue Vision was released in 2022.
This particular outing focused on standards and covers of tunes that both the audience and musicians were familiar with.
Show tunes, Blues played to make you smile and move your body to the beat was the order of the day,
Pianist Lafayette Harris was an excellent accompaniest. When he soloed he showcased the history of Jazz with hints of gospel, ragtime, field hollers throughout his playing. At times, I thought I was sitting in front of a gospel choir rather than at the front of a nightclub.
The bottom was held by upright bass player Nate Allen. He is also a multi genre musician. That can be heard in his creative bass accompaniment.
Drummer Jason Tieman is an NYC based freelance drummer who has played with many of the stars of the area. His role in this band was to primarily to provide gentle swinging with primarily brush and mallets. When given an opportunity to solo it was with subtle virtuosity rather than power.
Houston sat for most of the gig either in the front of the stage or on the side. He had to be helped to his seat. He frequently was seen smiling and grinning as well as the other musicians. He occasionally had to be reminded what song they would pay next. Everyone was clearly enjoying their time with him,
Houston will be 92 next month. Here’s to Houston and celebrating life.
Setlist
Blue 7 (Sonny Rollins)
Thats All
Black Velvet
Nice & Easu
Since I Fell For You
Stranger On The Shore (Acker Bilk)
Blues Everywhere
Encore
Beautiful People
