Eric Person
(b. 1963, St. Louis, Missouri [1]) is an alto and soprano saxophone player and leader of Meta-Four. Since coming to New York City in 1982, Person has performed with a whos who list of legends on the jazz and rock scene. He´s performed and recorded with jazz masters:McCoy Tyner, Dave Holland, Chico Hamilton, John Hicks and World Saxophone Quartet. In rock, funk and world music:Vernon Reid, Ben Harper, Ofra Haza and Bootsy Collins. Person is also on over forty recordings as a leader and sideman.
Because of Person's eclectic musical experience, he's considered a musician for almost any genre.
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ERIC PERSON TICKETS
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Collaborations
In 1987 Person formed "Sources" a duo with tabla/sirod/acoustic guitar performer
Bob Coke. The music blended elements of avant gard jazz, open indian grooves, and innovative soundscapes. The group toured Western France, Eastern USA, and New York City clubs and galleries. Person recorded six CDs with drummer
Ronald Shannon Jackson during his three year stay with the Decoding Society from 1984 to 1987. He also recorded six CD´s with drummer
Chico Hamilton as a member of his band, "Euphoria." Person performed with Mr. Hamilton from 1983-2000. In 1990 Person was featured soloist with the
New York City Symphony for a performance of
Duke Ellington`s Three Black Kings at the
Apollo Theatre in
New York City. It was the first time a full symphony orchestra had performed at the world famous New York City venue. From 1994 to 1997 Person was a member of the
Dave Holland Quartet, which toured
Europe, the
United States and
Canada. The band's success culminated in their recording of
Dream Of The Elders
on
ECM. Since 1997 Person has performed with a variety of diverse artists such as:singer/rocker
Ben Harper, (pianist)
Michiel Borstlap, (drummer)
Joe Chambers, (vocalists)
Jimmy Scott and
Jennifer Holiday, (Belgium percussionist)
Chris Joris,
Public Enemy Bassist
Brian Hardgroove and Bassist
Bootsy Collins. Through
Brian Hargroove's studio productions, Person is on unreleased tracks featuring rapper
Chuck D.
Since 1994 his band
Meta-Four has been featured in clubs, concerts, masterclasses and festivals across the USA, Canada and Europe.
In 2008 he premiered a new band,
Metamorphosis which unlike his four piece jazz group
Meta-Four will delve into funk, rock, groove and electric soundscapes. 2009 brings more diverse and interesting music projects. "Person to Person" brings together two generations of saxophonists: Eric Person and
Houston Person. The project debuted in an April concert in
Rochester New York. The wildly enthusiastic crowd guaranteed there would be more performances to come for this collaboration. Person will also debut another project with 2008 critics poll vocalist
Dwight Trible. The two will be backed by Person's band,
Meta-Four West in a performance in May at the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Recordings
- Arrival
(Soul Note Records, 1993) - Person's first CD as a leader.
- Prophecy
(Soul Note Records, 1994) - a conceptual recording, focusing on solo, duos and trio settings and mixing Person’s songs with those of John Coltrane.
- More Tales To Tell
(1997) - features an expanded, all-acoustic band with guitar, bass clarinet, bassoon, and flute, as well as Person’s long-time pianist and collaborator John Esposito.
- Extra Pressure
(1999) -features the first official version of his band Meta-Four. Features pianist John Esposito, and drummer E.J.Strickland.
- Live at Big Sur
(2003) - live recording of Person and Meta-Four at the 2002 Big Sur Jazz Festival; features three previously unrecorded compositions; Person's first live CD as a leader
- Reflections
(2005) - features previously unreleased live tracks with Dave Douglas
- "Rhythm Edge" (2007)-features Robin Eubanks, Ingrid Jensen, and Daniel Sadownick.
References
- The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings