Given how many famous musicians have featured Eric Person in their lineups, it’s a wonder this versatile saxophonist is not better known. Not only has he worked with jazz greats such as Dave Holland, Chico Hamilton, McCoy Tyner, David Murray, Dave Douglas and Donald Byrd, but Person also has experienced non-jazz musical adventures with rocking singer-songwriter Ben Harper and genre-defying guitarist Vernon Reid. And in 1997, after a few years leading different bands, the New York-based, St. Louis native founded Meta-Four. The quartet has released two albums, “Extra Pressure” and “Live at Big Sur,” with a new one to be recorded later this month.
This low-profile but high-talent artist will bring Meta-Four to the newly and beautifully renovated Athenaeum Music & Arts Library next Thursday as part of its winter jazz series. The group, which is performing for the first time in San Diego, features Los Angeles-based pianist John Rangel, who has also played with Pharaoh Sanders, Sam Rivers and Rosemary Clooney. Australia’s Adam Armstrong, who is adept at both electric and acoustic bass, calls New York home and has played with composer and arranger Maria Schneider and the legendary drummer Billy Cobham, to name two of many. Rounding out Meta-Four is drummer Tony Austin, who is also in the band of soul/gospel dynamo Solomon Burke.
The varied backgrounds of the players match Person’s wide musical palette: jazz, funk, rock and R&B inform his compositions, which make up the majority of Meta-Four’s repertoire. The Athenaeum audience should be ready for a variety of moods, influences and tempos, as well as Person’s agility and creativity on alto and soprano saxes.
He initially learned music at the tender age of 7 from his businessman father, who played the saxophone on the side and had a sizable jazz record collection. By the time he reached high school, Person was already in several bands and was determined to move to New York. His 20-plus years playing jazz in the Big Apple began in a group led by pianist John Hicks, a fellow Missourian. Person also had a 10-year stint with Chico Hamilton and played in the edgy band led by ex-Ornette Coleman drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson. Person still juggles some sideman duties with leading Meta-Four and composing. He has followed his dad’s footsteps as a businessman, spearheading his own Distinction label.
As his busy schedule reflects, Person’s low profile has not slowed him down. It’s just that jazz audiences need to catch up with him.
The Athenaeum’s winter series concludes on Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m., with guitarist Howard Alden and clarinetist Ken Peplowski. They will also appear along with other jazz luminaries at the San Diego Jazz Party, Feb. 23 to 25 at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar.
Meta-Four performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St. Tickets are $18 to $23. For information, call (858) 454-5872.
