A multi-faceted musical artist, Dwight Houston started playing professionally at the age of 13 after winning a statewide talent search with a group he organized, then three months later the prodigy was on stage performing with B.B. King. Since then, he's never looked back, and has garnered over 37 years in the music industry.

A Woodwind Specialist, Dwight has earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance with a minor in Composition and Arranging from Texas Southern University where he studied improvisation under Arnett Cobb and did arranging under Howard Harris and Lanny Steele.

Although Dwight's principal instrument is bassoon, he has mastered the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone as well as the clarinet, oboe, flute, and wind Midi. 

This veteran musician has played professionally with a roster of legends including Nancy Wilson, Pearl Bailey, Herbie Hancock, Gladys Knight, Lattimore, and Millie Jackson. Dwight has also toured with the Isley Brothers, Isaac Hayes, and the Weather Report. Additionally, he has performed in the pit orchestra for a number of Off-Broadway productions including Cats, Ain't Misbehavin', Man of LaMancha, and West Side Story.

In addition to his live performances, Dwight is a studio musician and producer, and his original music has been used as commercial jingles for television and radio. An educator, Dwight also  works as a woodwind / brass instructor.

On Purpose is a group of talented, versatile artists for whom music is a way of life. On Purpose can prepare a delicious blend of sounds guaranteed to satisfy your musical appetite, ranging from Jazz Fusion, Funk, and Soul to Smooth Jazz and R&B. On Purpose can provide a range of moods from the chill out vibes you want for relaxing to up-tempo grooves you need for dancing. While On Purpose can play almost any cover that you request, their original compositions are unique and are beautifully arranged. On Purpose is the band for any occasion, because success is always...intentional!

 Members of On Purpose:

• Rita Tucker, bassist / vocalist, began performing professionally when she was a teenager. Rita, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, is a self-taught, God-gifted musician. Rita started playing the pass to do what most little sisters do - follow in her brother's footsteps, because he played lead guitar. He was in a band named Dynamic Soul Machine, and after the bass player left the group, she was put in his place. For many years Rita has played with other bands and featured artists in a variety of venues from bars to gospel choirs, from churches to recording studios, from gospel plays to commercial jingles (where she also exposed her vocal skills). Rita often expresses the privilege it has been performing with great musicians and performers such as Kirk Franklin, Tyler Perry, Kevin Whalum, Yolanda Adams, Ben Tankard, Shirley Murdock, Kelly Price, Virtue, Tyrone Dickerson, Johnny Taylor, The Temptin' Temptations, Ali Woodson, and Michael & Regina Winans, to name a few. From those "gigs", life-long relationships were born while life-long lessons were taught.
  

• Marlon Spears, keyboardist and songwriter, graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Technology from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. While matriculating, he performed as the keyboardist for the renowned UAB Jazz Ensemble. Marlon was also a featured performer with the Lincoln Center Jazz Ensemble in New York City.

•   Lenora Ramsey, is a vocalist / keyboardist who's performed around the club circuit in New York City and has worked as part of Anita Ward's ("Ring My Bell") band. A graduate of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, she sang with the University Concert Choir and was selected Most Outstanding Soprano of the Gospel Choir for two consecutive years. The Birmingham native is also a songwriter.

• Jay Fowler, drummer, is a talented young instrumentalist who also uses his musical skills at New Hope Baptist Church, one of Birmingham's largest churches with a world-reknowned music department. His dynamic percussion ability matches the skills of veteran drummers.