So Nice

Recorded in 2011 for the HighNote label, So Nice finds Houston Person in his late-career prime, reinforcing his reputation as the 'boss' of the soulful tenor tradition. While many of his contemporaries moved toward complex fusion or technical abstraction, Person remained dedicated to the melody and the blues. The album is notable for its varied ensemble sizes, ranging from intimate duets to a full septet, yet it maintains a cohesive, relaxed atmosphere throughout. Critical reception, notably from Allmusic and All About Jazz, highlighted Person's 'compact solos' and his refusal to overstay his welcome on any single track, with most songs clocking in under six minutes. This brevity is a hallmark of the album, emphasizing storytelling over technical display. The tracklist is a mix of blues originals and standards, including a rare jazz treatment of a Stephen Sondheim medley, proving Person's versatility as an interpreter of diverse songcraft.