Posts Tagged ‘Jeff Houston’

Brother to Brother

Tuesday, July 28th, 2015

Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival, Day 1: Welcome to Funky Friday

Saturday, July 25th, 2015
WAER-FM's Eric Cohen, Ionana Vitu and Mike Houston chill back stage on Day 1 of the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.

WAER-FM’s Eric Cohen, Ioana Vitu and Mike Houston chill back stage on Day 1 of the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival.

The opening day of the Northeast Jazz & Wine Festival was called Funky Friday and dedicated to the memory of local jazz guitarist, composer and bandleader Jeff Houston.  Jeff’s brother Mike talked about Jeff’s new recording before the shows at the Pomco main stage. Mike and Jeff played the 2011 Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival when they were known as the J Project.

Where Class & Cool Met the Strings

Tuesday, April 7th, 2015
Jeff Houston

Jeff Houston on stage at Juneteenth.

The local music scene is like a fraternity: so many good folks jamming, sharing and looking out for one another.

We were sad to hear about Jeff Houston’s passing.  We caught him many times around Syracuse, but most recently at the Community Folk Art Center’s Women in Music series.

A tribute will take place at Dolce Vita where Houston usually played on Wednesday nights.

Jeff Houston at CFAC last month

Jeff Houston at CFAC

Lady Sings the Blues (part 2)

Saturday, March 21st, 2015

Here is a Marvin Gaye cover from Thursday’s Women in Music event at the Community Folk Art Center. You’ll enjoy the great melodic synergy between Sherri Williams, Jeff Houston and Travis Reed, plus the slide show of local and national protest photographs that accompanied the song was genius. Almost makes you wanna holler!

Lady Sings the Blues

Friday, March 20th, 2015
Vocalist Sherri Williams in performance at CFAC.

Vocalist Sherri Williams talked about the impact of music on her family.

We saw five dynamic ladies participate in the Women in Music series last night at the Community Folk Art Gallery (CFAC). The featured vocalist was Sherri Williams.  Her set, complete with a visual slide show, reminded us how much our relationship to music has changed in terms of sharing and appreciating songs. Unlike today’s personal device/social media/digital download environment, back in the day we often listened to music as families, and did our own version of liking and sharing.  One particular cut Williams remembered hearing through her uncle’s collection was “For the Love of You” by the Isley Bros.  Her rendition of that classic, with Jeff Houston on guitar and Travis Reed on keys, ushered in a sweet wave of nostalgia that felt like a late summer cookout.

Throwback Thursday: Houston Chronicle

Thursday, August 7th, 2014
Jeff and Mike Houston (aka J Project) played Hanover Square in 2006

Brothers Jeff and Mike Houston (aka J Project) performed together at Hanover Square in 2006. These days Jeff has the Jeff Houston Experience and Mike performs with Anjela Lynn.

Year in Review (Music, part 2)

Friday, December 28th, 2012
J.T. Hall and Friends (featuring Colleen Prossner)

J.T. Hall and Friends (featuring Colleen Prossner)

Another bright spot in the Syracuse music scene was the return of the Jazz at Sitrus series, which is held at the Sheraton Hotel, along the Connective Corridor.  Here are some of the performers from 2012.

Sitrus Lounge (Sheraton Hotel)

Sitrus Lounge (Sheraton Hotel)

Melissa Gardiner

Melissa Gardiner

Michael and Anjela Lynn

Michael and Anjela Lynn

Larry Luttinger, aka Lorenzo

Larry Luttinger, aka Lorenzo

Ronnie Leigh

Ronnie Leigh

Nancy Kelly

Nancy Kelly

John Leroy

John Leroy

Mike Dubaniewic

Mike Dubaniewic

Jeff Houston

Jeff Houston