Dwight Houston & On Purpose
Photos

Our purpose... A life of music

Dwight and the group perform at the Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival in Birmingham, Alabama

Dwight and the group perform at the Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival in Birmingham, Alabama

Rita Tucker

Rita Tucker

Marlon Spears

Marlon Spears

Lenora Ramsey

Lenora Ramsey

A portion of the crowd at the 4th Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival.

A portion of the crowd at the 4th Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival.

Jay Fowler at the Jazz Vespers performance at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Birmingham

Jay Fowler at the Jazz Vespers performance at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Birmingham

Dwight getting into his solo during the performance.

Dwight getting into his solo during the performance.

Warming up before the Jazz Vespers performance at St. Paul Lutheran Church

Warming up before the Jazz Vespers performance at St. Paul Lutheran Church

Rita and Dwight at Jazz Vespers

Rita and Dwight at Jazz Vespers

Marlon at Jazz Vespers

Marlon at Jazz Vespers

Rita at Jazz Vespers

Rita at Jazz Vespers

On Purpose welcomes one of the country's best bassists, Rita Tucker, to the group.

On Purpose welcomes one of the country's best bassists, Rita Tucker, to the group.

On Purpose also welcomes their new drummer, the dynamic Jay Fowler.

On Purpose also welcomes their new drummer, the dynamic Jay Fowler.

On Purpose pauses for a picture after performing at Jazz Vespers at St. Paul Luteran Church in Birmingham.

On Purpose pauses for a picture after performing at Jazz Vespers at St. Paul Luteran Church in Birmingham.

Stopping for a picture before performing for the Juneteenth Festival sponsored by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, (left-right) bassist Bernay Johnson, Dwight, Lenora, and the awesome drummer Brian Brownlee.

Stopping for a picture before performing for the Juneteenth Festival sponsored by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, (left-right) bassist Bernay Johnson, Dwight, Lenora, and the awesome drummer Brian Brownlee.

Dwight at the 2008 Juneteenth Festival

Dwight at the 2008 Juneteenth Festival

Marlon's wife, Keta, is the lovely lady in purple enjoying the music as On Purpose performs at the 2008 Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival.

Marlon's wife, Keta, is the lovely lady in purple enjoying the music as On Purpose performs at the 2008 Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival.

Lenora and Dwight take a moment to speak with Cher and Steve after performing at the Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival on a humid summer night.

Lenora and Dwight take a moment to speak with Cher and Steve after performing at the Fourth Avenue Taste of Jazz Festival on a humid summer night.

Performing at the Music Oasis for City Stages annual festival.

Performing at the Music Oasis for City Stages annual festival.

Davyd, Dwight, and Marlon at  City Stages Music Oasis.

Davyd, Dwight, and Marlon at  City Stages Music Oasis.

Dwight's playing the Yamaha MIDI Wind Controller at a recent gig.

Dwight's playing the Yamaha MIDI Wind Controller at a recent gig.

Dwight onstage at Birmingham's Juneteenth Festival in 2007

Dwight onstage at Birmingham's Juneteenth Festival in 2007

Dwight speaking to the crowd at the festival. Larry O. Gay was the photographer.

Dwight speaking to the crowd at the festival. Larry O. Gay was the photographer.

Marlon solos on the keys during a gig.

Marlon solos on the keys during a gig.

Lisa, Ted, and Dwight celebrating their January birthdays at a Big Daddy's New Band gig. Lisa is the vocalist for Big Daddy's New Band, and Ted is the keyboardist for the group.

Lisa, Ted, and Dwight celebrating their January birthdays at a Big Daddy's New Band gig. Lisa is the vocalist for Big Daddy's New Band, and Ted is the keyboardist for the group.

Dwight's solo has the crowd in awe at a gig in Birmingham. Photos taken by Tommy Ellison.

Dwight's solo has the crowd in awe at a gig in Birmingham. Photos taken by Tommy Ellison.

Play it, Dwight!

Play it, Dwight!

Dwight's daughter, Aisha (on the right), with friend Shawn came from Nashville to enjoy the music of On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston at a performance.

Dwight's daughter, Aisha (on the right), with friend Shawn came from Nashville to enjoy the music of On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston at a performance.

Tommy and Cher enjoying an On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston set.

Tommy and Cher enjoying an On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston set.

Chris, Steve, and two other friends enjoy the show.

Chris, Steve, and two other friends enjoy the show.

At the "Birmingham Weekly" newspaper's Summer Concert Series while the TV camera rolls.

At the "Birmingham Weekly" newspaper's Summer Concert Series while the TV camera rolls.

Original members of On Purpose: Marlon, Lenora, and Dwight (left to right) enjoy a bite to eat after discussing business.

Original members of On Purpose: Marlon, Lenora, and Dwight (left to right) enjoy a bite to eat after discussing business.

Dwight playing at the 2006 Stokin' The Fire festival in Birmingham with Big Daddy's New Band.

Dwight playing at the 2006 Stokin' The Fire festival in Birmingham with Big Daddy's New Band.

Lenora smiles for the camera

Lenora smiles for the camera

A Walk Down Memory Lane

 Dwight and the group, before we were officially On Purpose. Mario (far left) played bass and Greg (with hat) played percussion. Circa 1997.

 Dwight and the group, before we were officially On Purpose. Mario (far left) played bass and Greg (with hat) played percussion. Circa 1997.

On Purpose's first photo shoot. Norman (far left) was the bass player and Davyd (far right) was the permanent drummer at the time. Circa 2000.

On Purpose's first photo shoot. Norman (far left) was the bass player and Davyd (far right) was the permanent drummer at the time. Circa 2000.

Marlon, Norman, and Dwight prepare for a benefit concert in the park for Norman's church. Photo was snapped by Lenora. Circa 1998.

Marlon, Norman, and Dwight prepare for a benefit concert in the park for Norman's church. Photo was snapped by Lenora. Circa 1998.

Drawing of original members of On Purpose

Drawing of original members of On Purpose

Lenora's been a diva even since the tender age of three years old!

Lenora's been a diva even since the tender age of three years old!

Dwight and members of the group pause from a recording session when Debra Gravois and her son came by the studio for a visit. Although Debra is now deceased, her memory will always be in our hearts for her friendship and inspiration.

Dwight and members of the group pause from a recording session when Debra Gravois and her son came by the studio for a visit. Although Debra is now deceased, her memory will always be in our hearts for her friendship and inspiration.


Some images © chelseagirl (cc).