HOUSTON PERSON

10 November 1934, Florence, South Carolina, USA. A late starter, Person took up the tenor saxophone in his late teenage years and gained considerable experience in bands during his military service. In the 60s he was sometimes sideman, sometimes leader of small groups cashing in on the organ-tenor fad, and was a member of Johnny Hammond’s group from 1963-66. Late in the decade he began a long-lasting association with his wife, singer Etta Jones. Although his playing style is rooted in earthy R&B, he has also played with forward-thinking musicians such as Ran Blake. From the 90s onwards, he has been associated with HighNote Records and their subsidiary, Savant, as producer and leader of the house band for numerous recording sessions.