Bio:
One need only witness a Reggie Houston performance to understand why his talent has been courted by legends like Fats Domino, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, and Peter Gabriel.
Reggie's music can transport any listener to a 2am Bourbon Street revelry and in the very next song draw tears from the eyes of the most stoic. More than just a master vocalist and saxophone player, Reggie Houston is an entertainer of the highest order. He has the charm and charisma of a modern day Louis Armstrong mingled with the pure and irresistible joy of a child. And when Reggie Houston lays down the funk, he lays it down on black satin sheets and makes it blush!
Although both parents discouraged him from pursuing a career in music, Reggie's destiny was shaped by a childhood spent in one of the most exciting and prominent music scenes in the world, and by the age of 10 Reggie insisted on studying the saxophone. His first professional gig came at the age of 12 when he joined the Batiste family band, The Gladiators, one of the preeminent and pioneering bands of funk.
Later on, Reggie became a permanent member of Fats Domino's band for 22 years, and toured the world with them until 1988 when he took a three year hiatus from the band. During that hiatus, Dr. John, with whom Reggie occassionally gigged, offered Reggie the baritone sax chair in his band, but by that time Reggie, who had been playing sax with Charmaine Neville, had accepted her offer to lead her band, which he did until moving to Portland in 2004. Guided by Reggie's experience, and with no small contribution from world class pianist Amasa Miller, Charmaine finally received the recognition that her incomparible vocal mastery deserved. And The Charmaine Neville Band rose to prominence in New Orleans and throughout the world.
Though Reggie's roots are in New Orleans, his knowledge and appreciation of musical styles spans the globe. Armed with the knowledge that music truly is a universal language that transcends cultures, prejudice and national borders, Reggie has taken that message with him as he's traveled and toured for more than four decades as a performer, student and arts education advocate.
Lady A heads up one of Seattle's Hottest bands in the Pacific NW.
This band possesses old school Funkmanship with a Jazz flavor, Blues Savvy, and Motown Fever, and delivers every time to its audience. As Lady "A" likes to say "We believe in Audience participation - You'll feel like part of the show when we're done!."
L.A.B.B. has opened for such artists as Dr. John; Jon Cleary; Henry Butler; Shemika Copeland and others, to name drop a few. She has opened for such artists as Denise LaSalle and the late Little Milton and been on stage with such artists as Eden Brent, Janniva Magness, Kenny Neal, Charmaine and Charles Neville, Super Chikan, Wylan Thibbdeau, and Howlin Mad "Bill" Perry. Through Amanda Gresham's Delta Music Experience (DME), L.A.B.B. has been afforded the opportunity to experience great musical legends in the Blues industry, such as Honeyboy Edwards, Doug MacLeod, and others.
There is a tune for all ages with this band and to see them is to experience musical energy beyond belief. You walk away in awe of the music and sweating from the dancin!
Join Delta Music Experience and RailsNW on September 11th, 2010 as we bring the Gulf Coast to the Oregon Coast and a music-filled Mardi Gras celebration to the rails. Your day includes a steam train ride from Garibaldi to Wheeler and an onboard Louisiana Po' Boy sandwich box lunch, and features a magical mix of N'awlins style live music. Book early, as space is limited to fewer than 100 passengers. Click here for reservations, or call us at 503-292-5055.
