Horn of Plenty

"He's all ear," notes Davis, a vibrant, almost hyperactive young woman. "He doesn't have his own agenda -- he just goes with the flow. He listens to you. He's great at creating his own interpretations. Accompanying a singer is tough; it takes sensitivity and sensibility. A lot of sax players will step on a phrase, but Eric can harmonize and not get in my way. He pushes me to create with him."

While for this particular crowd the threesome's cool tunes might be music-to-wait-for-your-table-by, the club-rat sax player remains upbeat. The music is smokin', and the audience is close, just the way he likes it. The people may not be groovin', but he is, and that's reason enough to share a laugh.

Eric Allison performs at 9:00 p.m. tonight (Thursday) and Sunday, February 22, at O'Hara's Pub, 722 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale; 954-524-1764. Admission is free.