The Opening Round, subtitled The Groove Masters Series Vol.

1 is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 1997 and released on the Savant label.

[1][2][3] In his review on Allmusic, Stewart Mason states "A fun and personable mix of jazz and soul classics plus a couple of originals by guitarist Rodney Jones, Houston Person's The Opening Round: Groove Masters Series, Vol.

It's a straight-up groove album, with Person in front of a four-piece organ combo".

[4] In JazzTimes, Stanley Dance wrote: "Person’s thick, unmannered tone, love of melody and swing, together give his music an odd sobriety that he seems compelled to relieve with fast flurries of notes".