Saxophonist Houston Person is a living legend and progenitor of the soulful sound of swinging music. After an intense and rewarding tenure with organist Johnny Hammond Smith in the early 1960's, Person made a call to Prestige Records which began his 50-plus year career as a solo recording artist. His albums over the years, which have included noted players such as Grant Green, Cedar Walton, Idris Muhammad, Curtis Fuller and Pepper Adams, have kept him in the ears of worldwide music fans. From his beginnings as leader, Person booked his own tours, hired bands, and managed his career independently, a practice that he continues to the present day. Our conversation with Person sheds light on his style on and off the bandstand; he blends decades of wisdom with charm and a direct approach to storytelling. He is the personification of soul. Our Vinyl Word segment is also dedicated to some classic moments in Person's recorded discography.

Produced by Billy Robinson

Producer and emcee Large Professor embodies the culture of true Hip Hop. His head-nodding instrumentals rely on a precise sampling technique. This method flips excerpts from classic jazz, reggae, rock and soul songs into original, memorable instrumentals that stand on their own and have provided the perfect soundscapes for an amazing arsenal of lyricists. In his early 90's album, Breaking Atoms, Large Professor was the featured member of the group Main Source. This recording set the template for his work that continues into the present day with a list of icons that include Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Slick Rick, Public Enemy, and Rakim. Large Professor's pursuit of Hip Hop has created an evolving legacy that extends far beyond the five boroughs that first championed his sound. In the Vinyl Word segment, we examine the work of pianist Gene Harris and organist Reuben Wilson as two instrumentalists whose recorded works of the late 1960s became cornerstones for the new grooves of Hip Hop.

Produced by Billy Robinson

In our inaugural episode, we catch up with guitarist Lionel Loueke. For over 15 years, he has dazzled worldwide audiences with a unique instrumental wizardry. He is also featured prominently as a sideman in the ensembles of Herbie Hancock. Compositionally, Loueke's language on the guitar is built on strong, driving bass lines often juxtaposed with a percussive vocal styling first developed in his native country of Benin. As an improviser, he exerts a magical command of his instrument over shifting time signatures, harmonic progressions, and song structures.

In our conversation, we learn that Loueke, early in his career, adopted a practice of choosing courage over fear. One proving ground happened after his first two years in the United States; he auditioned for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in 2001. The evaluating panel then included Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Terence Blanchard. Loueke not only entered the program, but his resume very quickly grew to include work with all three musicians. Loueke's latest album, Close Your Eyes, continues his momentum and imagination using the Great American Songbook as a vehicle. For our Vinyl Word album feature, we spotlight a Hancock classic masterpiece, Sextant.

Produced by Billy Robinson

The title of the show, borrowed from baritone saxophonist Leo Parker's 1961 album, is a descriptor for the show's soulfully probing dialogues with musicians that examine aspects of the human condition. Additionally, Bryant provides commentary and thoughtfully curated classic and current vinyl record listening recommendations.

Coming to WBGO Studios February 15, 2022