A seventh-generation New Orleanian, Reggie Houston embraced education and followed in his parents footsteps to become an arts education advocate, teacher, and world-renowned saxophonist.
He was inspired to study saxophone at age 10, after seeing Ray Charles play alto sax at Lincoln Beach Amusement Park, where Fats Domino also performed during Reggie's childhood. Years later, Reggie would share the stage with both musical giants, and spend 22 years as a member of Fats Domino's band, before moving to Portland, Oregon in 2004.
Reggie is truly born of the heartbeat of New Orleans jazz and the foundations of American music in general, having performed as a core member in the bands of Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Dave Bartholomew, Irma Thomas, Maria Muldaur, Dr. John, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charmaine Neville, the Neville Brothers and members of The Meters, among many others. You may have heard him on three of Peter Gabriel's albums, or on recordings by The Neville Brothers, The Indigo Girls, Joan Osborne, Bruce Hornsby, and more.
Reggie knows the music. It is in his blood. He can trace the many, varied styles and influences of southeast Louisiana music all the way back to pre-colonial Africa. It is this knowledge, coupled with the strong arts education tradition of his hometown that gave rise to Reggie’s newest project, "Anonymous Legends: A History of New Orleans Music" — the culmination of Reggie’s life’s work.