Palestine High School alum and internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Art Sherrod, Jr., performs with his band at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 in the PHS auditorium. The free concert is sponsored by the Alexander W. Gregg Fund and is open to the public.
The musician will also visit with area band students on Jan. 19, the day before the concert. He last visited PHS band students in 2019 and encouraged them to pursue careers in music. In 2014, he performed in Palestine to help the band raise funds to purchase a trailer for hauling their instruments to football games and competitions.
Sherrod grew up in Palestine and sang in the church choir. He listened to a variety of musical genres popular during his youth, from rap and hip hop to country and gospel music. He began playing the saxophone at age 13 and earned enough money to purchase his own instrument by cutting lawns and washing cars.
After graduation in 1991, Sherrod attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis where he studied general sciences. Toward the end of his studies there he rediscovered his love of music and resumed playing, later deciding to stay in the Washington, D.C. area to pursue a career in music.
His first break came when he joined Cuba Gooding, Sr., and his band the Main Ingredient, famous for the single “Everybody Plays the Fool.” Since then he also performed with Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan and CeCe Peniston, famous for the 1990s R&B hit “Finally.” He’s also a member of the Recording Academy, which votes on Grammy awards each year. Sherrod married fellow Texan Georgia Noone after meeting her in the Baltimore area.
Sherrod's music ranges from popular rhythm and blues hits to smooth jazz to spiritual gospel.
His most popular hits, heard around the globe on Sirius XM radio’s Watercolors channel, are "Rhythm of Life,” “Smooth Groove” and “Seasons.” He has produced several albums, including “All 4 Love,” “Seasons,” “Back 2 Business,” “Intervention” and “Art of Love.”
Sherrod completed a master’s degree in business through the University of Phoenix, and uses the knowledge to manage his music business.
Rhonda Herrington, director of fine arts for PHS, said Sherrod’s joy for playing music started in his hometown.
“He enjoyed being part of the Wildcat band and loved playing his saxophone," Herrington said. "He continued his music career playing his saxophone. We are lucky to have him and his band come to Palestine for a free concert.”