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Reggie Houston and Lori Henriques photo by Norm Eder

Reggie Houston and Lori Henriques photo by Norm Eder

Lori Enriques photo by Norm Eder

Reggie Houston photo by Norm Eder

Lori and Reggie photo by Norm Eder

Lori and Reggie photo by Norm Eder

Lori and Reggie photo by Norm Eder

Lori and Reggie photo by Norm Eder

Reggie Houston on location with Norm Eder photo by Bob Howard

Lori Henriques on location with Norm Eder photo by Bob Howard

09/29/2023

Lori Henriques and Reggie Houston's new album / You know, for kids

By BOB HOWARD // Lori Henriques and Reggie Houston each channeled their inner child to create a masterpiece

Lori Henriques and Reggie Houston have teamed up to produce their first collaboration Kind People Are My Kind of People, a whimsical walk through timeless melodies set through the eyes of parents to their children. Lori and Reggie each channeled their inner child to create a masterpiece, conversations between two parents set to timeless melodies. They remind us that children are the inspiration for many, many great songs.

On location with Lori and Reggie with Norm Eder

This project emerged in Reggie’s backyard during the pandemic. Reggie built a stage in the backyard to bring music to his friends and family to soothe the social isolation he felt. He started inviting friends and families to come play. Lori’s family would come, Michael Elson would bring his wife and three boys, and Reggie 's friends and relatives would gather outdoors and play music.

OMN Exclusive preview - Hindustan live on location

Lori met Reggie Lori through her mom who happened to be Christmas shopping near EaT. She heard music, looked in the window to find Reggie and the Box of Chocolates playing. The next weekend she brought Lori’s family. Lori’s son Leo who was 11 and had been playing trumpet since pre-school. Reggie invited Leo to come up and play in the band, and from that time he began teaching and mentoring him. Reggie would invite him every Sunday to sit in with the Box of Chocolates. “He’d do his lesson, then he would practice it live.” Reggie started calling him Kid Leo.

Reggie said that “when I announced in 2021 to my friends that I was leaving Portland and returning to New Orleans, Lori’s family invited me over to say goodbye they gave me a card about kind people. She had written a song “Kind People,” and we decided to record it and release as a single. We released it during ‘Random Acts of Kindness Month’ in 2022 on Sirius XM Radio and it went to number 2!" After that, Lori suggested we finish a record. "So, in spite of my move, the project was born.”

Arietta Ward, a family friend, and local musician, said, “it’s about time for this record to come out! Michael Elson and I have always said that Reggie should write a children’s book ‘cuz he’s everybody’s uncle! Well, she says, “he and Lori did it! They did it in song!” Lori says, “Reggie loves kids. Every place he plays he keeps kids toys handy to get kids involved in the music with bird whistles, shakers, whistles, and strings.”

Lori told me that “there were so many reasons that I wanted to work with Reggie, he’s wonderful, ebullient, whimsical, a mentor to my children and a great musician.” She adds, “I was so glad that we weren’t losing him completely to New Orleans.” They started their collaboration from a distance. She and her family went twice to New Orleans. Each trip Reggie made back to Portland, “we would go into the studio.” Reggie says, “they were the most organic sessions in which he had ever participated. It was a breeze for me to fit into Lori’s arrangements.”

Andy Ferguson, Red Yarn Productions, nationally known, Oregon-based family performer said, “Kind People Are My Kind of People is a masterclass in friendship and collaboration. Lori and Reggie’s witty lyricism and sophisticated compositions are beautifully complimented by their loose, playful banter. The skilled instrumental contributions of Lori’s children drive home the message of love and kindness between family and friends. Bravo!”

Reggie told me that he is passionate about teaching and mentoring “Nothing is more sacred to me on this planet than committed teachers.” “When you see a flicker of light, it is our responsibility to ignite it so it can grow brilliantly.”

Lifelong educator, mentor and retired board chair of Artichoke Community Music, Danice Brown said of the record, "In my many years of working with children and families, I have always recognized music as a common denominator between adults and children. This record is a perfect marriage of well-loved melodies with playful children’s stories set to music that will appeal all audiences.”

Lori and Randy Porter, both Grammy nominated artists, co-produced the record. Lori and Reggie were the lead artists on the recording. Lori’s children were the featured artists: Leo Keeslar on Trumpet, and Elsa Keeslar on Violin. The artists performing on the record included Jason Palmer, Drums; Garrett Baxter, Double Bass; Jon Lakey, Double Bass on “Kind People;” Gabe Porter, Bass Guitar on “Morning March” and “Happy Birthday Now;” Kyle Eroche, additional sound engineer, and the recording was mastered by Dana White.

This project is far from over. They were close to finishing the album when Lori asked, “what about one more song?” “What about Dark Eyes?” The melody inspired “Yay Corn!” the second song on the record. When they decided to record “Yay Corn!” they went from straight from Kidd Jordon’s celebration of life to the studio. Reggie says, “I am chomping at the bit for the next project.

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