Slide Show

Eric Person has been in the game for a long time. A fellow Taurian who has been diligently grinding for years working hard to make his musical statements of truth known to all who seek the magical gift that great jazz music offers the world. Honing his skills by working as a sideman along side many masters of this music, Eric has found a signature voice on alto and soprano that not only stimulate “The Multitudes” of emotions but, intellectually satisfy the equation for insightful melodies and harmonies.

When Eric makes it way out west from Brooklyn New York he generally uses a west coast version of his band “Meta-Four” appropriately titled “Meta Four West”. This time he has taken the expense to travel with the east coast version of Meta-Four across country because they have just recorded a new CD called “Rhythm Edge” and any replacements would disturb the organic beauty of the music.

Working long and hard on this latest selection of compositions, Eric feels that this is some of his best and most exciting work yet! With the addition of Robin Eubanks on trombone, Ingrid Jensen on trumpet and Danny Sadownick on percussion,  the tightness of the band just opens up into a more rich, full and vibrant sound providing just the elements that these tunes called for.

 

Eric is one of the few cats that work hard rehearsing the band, writing and arranging the music, booking the tour, checking radio station playlists, contacting program hosts for air play, arranging interviews for each city, booking flights and arranging transportation and accommodations for his players, marketing the performances, handling the money and finally getting on stage and making sure that the music kills. It takes a lot of dedication, commitment and endurance for every artist who has to create the mountain from a mole hill all on their own but, life is all about creating your art, believing in yourself and sharing with the world. Eric Person and Meta-Four work this philosophy to the core so the least you can do is go out and be blessed by the music.

 

He did make a few stops here in the West and I was able to do a little traveling and hang with the band for their performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Santa Monica College was first in the trilogy. There is nothing like young eager minds ready to soak up the music. Well, I am sure that assignments for jazz class were additional motivating factors but, none the less, the auditorium was packed and if you came for an assignment, you left with an experience. This is the second time that Eric has played for the students at SMC but the first time that they got a chance to hear the music from fertile soil to bearing fruit.

 

Jared Cashkin is an outstanding young 22 year old pianist who has played with the band for the last few years and covers the entire spectrum of melodic, swing, bop, grove, blues and ballads possibilities with a wisdom well beyond his years. Adam Armstrong has a rhythmic understanding of the concept that effortlessly flows from the strings of his bass and drummer Peter O’Brien has for years provided the drive behind the pulse of the music. These cats forge through the dense lyricism of the lines bobbing, weaving and providing little fragments of personality that color the tunes different hues that each time blossom different orchids. Eric has mentioned that he has sold more CD’s on this tour than any other which is proof that the folks get the concept and are thoroughly enjoying the music.

 

Buy the album and click to watch Eric sign autographs

San Francisco was next and the band played at a swanky spot below Market called Bacar; restaurant on top, bar, music and lounge on the bottom. This is a dark, lovely and very intimate spot and accept for the group of people who did not know that it is disrespectful to talk and laugh out loud during a performance, the vibe was pretty cool. I did not dine but, the cats said that the salmon was the best meal that they have ever had. I thought that there was something in the food because the second set was on fire. Just evidence that not only do you “Gotta Pay the Band”, feed them well and spark some creativity on a whole new level!

I met back up with the cats in Los Angeles at the Jazz Bakery. This time I got a chance to be the Master of Ceremonies and give these brothas the proper recognition that they deserve. Of course the band was on and this time they were joined for one tune by Los Angeles vocal mogul Dwight Trible, who got on stage and with no rehearsal spiritualized the ceremony with a rendition of John Coltrane’s “Afro Blue”.

Three days with multiple performances or master classes on each day can get pretty exhausting on the road but, the magic of the music is always the ultimate elixir to take the edge off and get the “Rhythm Edge” on!  Now even though, Eric is a good friend, dedicated a tune to my beloved girl who now rests in peace, photographed me on the cover of the album and asked me to write the liner notes, this music deserves your attention! Listen for yourself and you will see that the seamless sequence of the tunes will turn a listen into an enlightening, musical, cerebral journey. I guarantee it!

 

LeRoy Downs