Eric Person - 1982-92 New York City

1982-92 New York City

Eric arrived in New York City on May 17, 1982. He played his first New York City gigs with the John Hicks Big Band at the Public Theatre. Drummer Ronnie Burrage took him to Washington D.C to play a gig that included a young Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland and Avery Sharpe. Person also formed an early quartet that included guitarist Cary Denigris, bassist Kevin Bruce Harris and drummer Ronnie Burrage. That group rehearsed once a month at the now defunct Air Studios, and performed two explosive performances in St. Louis and at a club called Eric's in New York city. As the months rolled on into 1983, during the Spring and Summer months Eric spent his days practicing his horn outside on Riverside Drive. He either practiced there or in the back of a numbers joint on West 145th street, because the owner of the rooming house where he lived at would not allow him to play his horn there. During the week he went to sit-in at an old jazz club called The Blue Book. In that same year he auditioned for drummer Chico Hamilton. He would perform with Mr. Hamilton off and on throughout the 80's and 90's, touring and recording six CD releases with him.

In 1984 he joined Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society. This gave Person his first extensive European touring and recording opportunities. He would play with Shannon till 1987, and record six recordings with him.