04 Jun 08 Eric Person

Eric Person is on a mission. A mission in music. He’s setting a new standard in sound, on his alto and soprano saxophones and with his band, Meta-Four. He is a musician who’s featured on over thirty recordings as a sideman and leader. A musician of the new age.

Eric has notched an impressive resume, and among his great associations were with two respected drummers: Chico Hamilton and Ronald Shannon Jackson. He recorded six CD’s with both Chico and Shannon. Mr. Jackson gave Eric his very first recording and touring experiences.

From 1994 -1997 Eric was a pivotal member of the Dave Holland Quartet. That ensemble toured throughout Europe, the United States and Canada, playing prestigious concert halls and festivals. It was a great band, who’s success culminated in the classic recording on ECM Records, Dream Of The Elders. It put Eric on the map and continued Mr. Holland’s great legacy in Jazz. This group made exciting music, and is one of the cornerstones in Eric’s career.

Person continued to develop his art along side other legendary musicians. He performed and recorded with McCoy Tyner, David Murray, World Saxophone Quartet, Dave Douglas, Vernon Reid, Ben Harper, and Donald Byrd among others.

After spending many years developing his sound as a sideman, the time came for Eric to work his magic on his own bandstand and recording sessions. His debut release, 1993’s Arrival, was an auspicious beginning which paved the way for 1994’s Prophecy, both on Soul Note Records. Down Beat Magazine gave them 3 1/2 and 4 stars respectively. Arrival emphasized a variety of styles and Eric’s willingness to take chances. Prophecy was more conceptual, focusing on solo, duos and trio settings, while mixing Person’s songs with those of John Coltrane.

1997’s More Tales To Tell, showed the biggest development in Eric’s music. Great arrangements, strong composition, and an expanded band that featured acoustic guitar, bass clarinet, bassoon and flute. It was an all-acoustic band. Down Beat gave the recording 4 stars.

1999’s Extra Pressure is a giant step. It brings together all of the best previous releases in a singular musical statement along with the experience a by his working band, Meta-Four. Extra Pressure is a “musical knockout punch”—it’s Eric Person coming of age. This is music to get excited about. Music that made many say, “I want to see how they play that stuff live.”

2003 Brings us “Live At Big Sur”, the CD captures Meta-Four in dynamic performances at the 2002 Big Sur Jazz Festival. This recording features three compositions recorded here for the first time and four that are updated from Eric’s earlier records. This is Eric’s first LIVE CD as a leader, and it shows that Eric and the band are ready to “deliver the goods,” LIVE or in the studio.

2005’s Reflections let’s everyone know where he’s come from. There’s dynamic tracks from all of his CD’s plus three unreleased Live performances that feature trumpeter Dave Douglas.

2007 brings in a new era in Eric’s music with Rhythm Edge. It’s fifteen music tracks feature his band Meta-Four with special guests trombonist Robin Eubanks and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Drummer Peter O’Brien who was featured on Live at Big Sur is back, and two new members bassist Adam Armstrong and keyboardist Jarod Kashkin take Eric’s music higher then it’s ever gone before. With it’s kenetic energy, and dynamic interplay Rhythm Edge takes hold of the listener in a way that a Live performance does. This music takes all on a joy ride, it soars high above the mundane.