Houston Person Quartet

Showtimes: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM | Tickets: $35 at the door Reservations: Not necessary — we recommend arriving 20–30 minutes before showtime. Seating: Available throughout the shows. Bar Hours: Open from 5:00 PM to midnight — no cover charge to enjoy cocktails and the vibe! 91 st birthday celebration concert! Ever since recording his 1966 debut Underground Soul for Prestige Records, tenor saxophonist Houston Person has been a leading figure in soul jazz. Known for his big tone and warm, accessible style, he’s built a career on crowd-pleasing blues, ballads, R&B standards, and jazz classics — keeping him in steady demand for decades. Born in 1934 in Florence, South Carolina, Person began on piano before switching to tenor sax at 17. After serving in the Army in Germany — where he played with Don Ellis, Eddie Harris, and Cedar Walton — he studied at the Hartt College of Music in Connecticut. He made his first recording in 1965 with organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith and went on to lead his own band in the 1970s, often featuring organists. In 1986, he transitioned to a piano-based format, working ever since with pianist Stan Hope. Person cites Gene Ammons, Hank Mobley, and Sonny Stitt among his influences and is admired for both his musical integrity and independent spirit — booking his own gigs and producing his own records. He had a long-running partnership with vocalist Etta Jones, who performed with his band from 1973 until her passing in 2001. Person produced numerous albums for her, along with recordings for artists like Ernie Andrews, Charles Brown, Joey DeFrancesco, Red Holloway, and David “Fathead” Newman. Now in his 90s, Houston Person remains a soulful and enduring voice in jazz — as vital as ever on stage and in the studio. Houston Person – sax Matthew Parrish – bass Orrin Evans – piano Byron Landham – drums with special guest vocalist Michelle Lordi