Album Notes

Brian Horton is a composer, saxophonist and producer from Kinston, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina Central University with a BA in jazz performance in the Spring of 1997. Two years later he completed his Master's degree at the Aaron Copeland School of Music in Queens , New York, under the direction of Jimmy Heath and the late Sir Roland Hanna. Since that time Brian has kept a steady balance of work as a bandleader,sideman and composer for such renowned musicians as Hanna, Winard Harper, Louie Bellson and Clark Terry. He has also collaborated with producer Just Blaze for hiphop moguls Snoop Dogg and Memphis Bleek and has been a featured composer for many film shorts including works for ESPN, Foot Locker and director Spike Lee.

Horton's playing is known for his attention to detail and melody, especially in his ballads. His sound is lush and soulful. Though a technically competent player, Horton prefers to speak more than just his vast vocabulary on his instrument. Instead, he tells the story. No matter what tempo, setting or tune he finds room to speak the blues, a characteristic often overlooked by many young horn players today. Best by far, this young lion is as entertaining to watch as he is to hear on record. His trios and quartets rock the music scene with gritty originals and spontaneous live shows for changing times.

Hidden Heights: Brian Horton at HR-57,Washington,D.C.
By Franz A. Matzner ,All About Jazz

'Organic, determined, and thoroughly modern, the Brian Horton trio plays straight from the interior of their musical consciousness.'

Live at the Underground Club, New York,NY
by Dartanyan Brown, News Arts Media

'The simplest, most innocent line can assume almost epic proportions with this group as they explore both the boundaries of stylistic expression, dynamics, instrumental mastery and audience interaction.'

The Radar Screen,New York, NY
by Gregory Joseph

'...you knew you were in for a treat when he played his infectious melodies.'

The JazzMasterSeries.com
-Dave Kay

'Brian Horton's saxophone is very soulful.'