Houston Person with the Dave Leonhardt Trio
WHEN: Sunday, December 10, 2017, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
WHERE: Rutherfurd Hall, 1686 Rte 517, Allamuchy
TICKETS: $25 Advance / $30 Door
www.RutherfurdHall.Tix.com
Dubbed “the natural heir to the Boss Tenor crown worn so long and so well by Gene Ammons” (Bob Porter), global performer Houston Person knows the music business inside out, from booking his own tours to producing his own albums. As eclectic as he is talented, Person has recorded everything from disco and gospel to pop and r&b, in addition to his trademark, soulful hard bop. After years as producer and house tenor for HighNote Records and touring with the late Etta Jones, Person is now known as a master of popular songs played in a relaxed, highly accessible style reminiscent of the great Ben Webster.
Wrote Gary Giddens in the Village Voice, “I have always admired Houston Person for his huge tone, bluff humor, and pointed obbligato…Person lucidly rides the beat with figures you think you've heard but haven't. These are not recycled licks or clichés; they simply seem familiar, like family… gray hair aside, Person is unchanged, an unmoved mover of certain jazz essentials.” Ask him what’s important in his music, and Houston Person notes that, “It's important that it's relaxing…Relaxes you and makes you feel good… I'm going to always play the things that I think contributes to good jazz, such as the blues and swinging.”
David Leonhardt, jazz pianist and composer, is a highly skilled and versatile musician. His twenty five years of professional experience has included recordings, T.V. and radio, concerts and festivals, night clubs and stage shows. He has appeared internationally throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle and Far East. Recently Mr. Leonhardt arranged and recorded the #1 jazz CD “Under a Woodstock Moon” with saxophonist David Newman, appeared with flutist Herbie Mann and bassist Ron Carter on the CD “Celebration.”
At present Mr. Leonhardt is leading his own band with successful appearances at the International Arts Festival of Shenzen in China, the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, The French Maison de Dance in Lyon, as well festivals and concerts throughout the United States. His all-star group has been heard at The Apollo Theater, The Blue Note, Birdland and Sweet Basil. He is a well-known educator, gives clinics world wide, and writes for the magazine “Piano Today.” Mr. Leonhardt has twice been the Artist in Residence at Lafayette College and is on the roster of The Pennsylvania Arts On Tour.
Matthew Parrish, has ‘come into his own’ as a sought after performer, arranger, and composer. Matthew brings skills and swing as he puts his heart into every note he plays. He has a genuine warmth and loyalty to the music that transcends into every note, every tune, and every interaction with his fellow musicians.
Matt’s young bass career is grounded in Philadelphia, PA. He had the blessing, in his late teens and early twenties, of performing with Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker, Bobby Durham, Cecil Payne, Johnny Coles, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Jimmy Oliver, Danny Turner, and fellow young musicians, Orrin Evans and Byron Landham.
No stranger to the New York City jazz scene, Matt frequents the Jazz Standard, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s ‘Coca Cola’ Club at Lincoln Center, Smalls, Birdland, and the Iridium. He is also no stranger to Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA jazz clubs and, of course, he is a devoted Philadelphia, PA performer.
With decades of his life devoted to the art of jazz bass, Matthew shares his experience by teaching and mentoring young children through adults in assemblies, master classes, and lectures throughout the United States.
Colby Inzer holds music degrees from William Patterson University (Bachelor of Music), and the University Of Louisville (Masters of Music). As a performer in the NY/NJ and Louisville, KY area, he has shared the stage with Vic Juris, Sonny Fortune, Dennis Irwin, Delfeayo Marsalis, Adam Scone and others.
