Contact information: www.KathyLyonMusic.com 850-375-6572 [email protected]

Performing great songs has been a constant for Kathy Lyon as long as she can remember, from her Nebraska childhood to festival appearances and touring while based in Virginia, and in more recent years on Florida’s Gulf Coast. To record with saxophonist and producer —the keeper of the ‘soul ’ flame for more than 50 years, with a deep knowledge of songs and a special sensibility for accompanying —has been “a dream come true.” Houston titled the session “Nothin’ But Love,” and Kathy says that’s exactly what it felt like, calling the vibe in the studio with Houston’s working band “just a joy.” Music was an integral part of Kathy’s young life, harmonizing with her four sisters on show tunes, spirituals, and the Czech Liner Notes folk songs that were part of her parents’ hometown heritage. And her father’s piano playing, musical coaching, and his collection of jazz and boogie-woogie 78-rpm records have been a lifelong inspiration. Moving to the Washington, D.C. area, Kathy began working with her future husband, Tom Lyon, and as their family grew, so did their performance schedule, including several international tours for the Department of Defense. For a dozen years, Kathy was involved in both on and off-stage roles at Maryland’s East Coast Jazz Festival (now the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival). The workshops led each year by festival founders, singer Ronnie Wells and pianist Ron Elliston, were a big influence, and Kathy recalls the festival scene as “filled with warmth and camaraderie.” She and Tom ran a graphics and marketing firm, with a music studio in the same building, until he suffered a stroke. They soon relocated to Florida’s Panhandle, where she has continued her love of performing. Among Kathy’s indelible memories of the East Coast Festival were appearances by Houston Person with his musical partner of many years, Etta Jones. “The warmth of his tone just melted me,” she recalls. “He’s the master.” And their repertoire was right in her wheelhouse, too. Meeting Houston some time later while on a jazz cruise, Kathy shared with him her live recording from those Maryland days. One of the first things to strike him was “I onderW Where Our Love Has Gone,” the song that Etta sang so memorably, and which is such a treat on this new recording. It’s a song rarely heard now, but a favorite for Kathy since she learned it during those inspirational Ronnie Wells workshops years ago. On this session, Kathy reaches deep to tell the stories in tunes such as “You Better Go Now” and “Once in a While.” Her treatment of “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” is one she’s done for years, done in a playful trio arrange- ment with bass and guitar. She has always related her life to the lyric at hand, and in several of the songs here—notably “Easy Living,” new to her repertoire—is singing with her husband in mind, as Tom passed away weeks before this session after their many years together. Throughout her life, Kathy has kept her eye on the goal – sharing with an audience her favorite songs, with the best colleagues she can find. Teamed here with Houston’s inimitable tenor and his great band, she’s given us a set filled with “Nothin’ But Love,” that is sure to keep you coming back for more, and finding new favorites every time. Notes by Bob Seymour. Bob was Jazz Director for WUSF, 89.7, The smiles say it all, it was “Nothin’ But Love” with these amazing musicians. Tampa’s NPR station, for 35 years, and (L-R) Peter Hand (guitar), Matthew Parrish (bass), Houston Person (tenor sax), me, is president of the Tampa Jazz Club, a Lafayette Harris Jr. (piano) and Vince Ector (drums). At Teaneck Studios, Teaneck NJ. non-profit organization founded in 1995.