Charles McPherson Quintet Feat. Sean Jones / Joe Alterman Trio Feat. Houston Person

Acclaimed alto saxophone player, composer and bandleader Charles McPherson returns to SMF after 10 years, with a quintet featuring Sean Jones on trumpet, Jeb Patton on piano, David Wong on bass and Bill Drummond on drums. McPherson left Detroit for New York in 1959 at 19 years of age, joining Charles Mingus’ band the following year for a stint of more than 12 years. He has toured worldwide for concerts and festivals with his own ensembles, as well as with jazz greats Barry Harris, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Nat Adderley, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie and others. McPherson was the featured saxophonist in Clint Eastwood’s film Bird about Charlie Parker. Trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and activist Sean Jones brought his quartet to SMF in 2022. He has released eight albums, been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and SFJAZZ Collective and is a respected leader in jazz education.

Six years since his last SMF performance, pianist and Atlanta native Joe Alterman returns with his trio and special guest Houston Person on tenor saxophone. As Person puts it, Joe Alterman “is doing his part to keep alive the art of the swinging trio. He is a wonderful pianist whose playing brings smiles and good feelings to his listeners.” Alterman earned a master’s in Jazz Piano at NYU and went on to perform with Person, Les McCann, Dick Gregory and Ramsey

Lewis. Tenor saxophonist Houston Person waS born in Florence, South Carolina in 1934. He has played with Don Ellis, Cedar Walton and Etta Jones, among many others.

“…a singular voice who has never sacrificed the fluidity of his melody making and is held in high esteem by musicians both long seasoned and young.” –THE NEW YORK TIMES (ON CHARLES MCPHERSON)

Pianos by Steinway & Sons | A Faircloth Jazz Series Performance