Feature

Out on His Own

Houston Person Quartet plays Jazz Standard

by Helen Cooper   |   Feb 22, 2010

Out on His Own

 

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Houston Person has lived and played through decades of musical and social change. The tenor saxophonist originally from Florence, South Carolina has blown on more than 75 albums as a leader, has played with greats ranging from Lena Horne to Lou Rawls to Billy Butler and shared a musical partnership with one of the jazz world’s most respected and revered vocalists. He’s a soul jazz great, and his distinctively emotive style of playing is coming to the Jazz Standard March 4–7 as he leads the Houston Person Quartet in a string of can’t-miss shows.

To mention the work of Houston Person without mentioning his 30-year association with aching vocalist Etta James would be disrespectful to one of the greatest musical partnerships ever to have existed. The two first met playing in organist Johnny Hammond’s band and spent subsequent decades touring, recording and collaborating on music together. It makes sense, after all, that the two would find musical respite in the soulful core of one another. James’ gravelly, often mournful tone can turn an emotional cue on a dime and Person’s style is no different. Sassy and expressive, he plays soul like he’s lived it. They both have worked to transform and maintain the roots of blues into a thriving, emotional blend that came to be known as soul jazz.

But the James-association aside, Houston Person emerged as an important player and producer himself, contributing to the jazz game in ways that far outdid his collaborative work with just one artist. He received the Eubie Blake Jazz Award in 1982 and just last summer he set the Lincoln Center Outdoors swing dancers aflame as guest soloist with the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra. On his most recent release Mellow (HighNote, 2009), Houston puts his bluesy tone to work on standards such as “In A Mellow Tone” and “What A Difference A Day Made.”

The Houston Person Quartet will play Jazz Standard March 4–7. For tickets and more information, please visit www.jazzstandard.com.