As a title, SO NICE might imply a sleepy and quite possibly uninspired session calculated to avoid challenges. That notion is quickly dispelled by the sprightly and imaginative solo Houston Person takes on "Blues Everywhere" that kicks off this collection.  Person, of course, is a master of understated elegance, a balladeer of the highest order. But he's equally capable of playing tough, soulful tenor with virile vigor. True to form, Houston here shows both his sides and delivers a program that alternates between creamy-smooth ballads and bluesier offerings with significant bite.  With the amazing Warren Vaché on cornet / flugelhorn and Mark Patterson on trombone the little big band sound is absolutely stellar, with legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder handling recording, mixing, and mastering.

HOUSTON PERSON, tenor saxophone • Warren Vaché, cornet/flugelhorn • Mark Patterson, trombone • John di Martino, piano • Howard Alden, guitar • Ray Drummond, bass • Lewis Nash, drums

Tracks: Blues Everywhere • All Too Soon • I Wished on the Moon • Kiss and Run • So Nice • I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face • Close to You • Star Eyes • Minor Inconvenience • Easy Living • Everything I Love • Stephen Sondheim Medley: Small World / Anyone Can Whistle

 Blues Everywhere

 I Wished on the Moon

 So Nice

 Minor Inconvenience