HOUSTON – As more than 3.4 million travelers prepare to navigate Houston’s airports during the Christmas travel season, one Southwest Airlines employee is working to make their journey a bit more melodic.
Hugo Clemente, a provisioning agent at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, has been surprising passengers with impromptu saxophone performances of Christmas carols and other tunes as they board their flights.
The three-year Southwest veteran’s musical interludes have become an unexpected bright spot during what can often be a stressful travel experience.
“People, I think, are just caught up in how fast-paced our life is,” Clemente said. “Especially once you step through security in an airport. It’s hurry up, get to your gate, hurry up get to your plane, hurry up get your bags, and it all stops for a minute. It just slows down for a second and it’s all smiles.”
The concerts as people shuffle down the plane aisle began shortly before Thanksgiving when Clemente, who describes himself as “just a band nerd who never got rid of his horn,” decided to bring his saxophone to work.
He’s had the instrument since his freshman year of high school, about 30 years ago.
“I brought my sax thinking maybe I could brighten somebody’s day,” Clemente explained. “And I think the first little kid I saw with a big old giant smile on my face with a Christmas carol, boy, that was it. I knew I was going to keep doing it.”
Before joining Southwest, Clemente served as COO of a transportation company and spent years in hospitality and customer service management.
His current role involves stocking aircraft with drinks, snacks and other materials flight attendants might need. The addition of musical performances aligns perfectly with Southwest’s customer-focused culture.
“You know, we sing on planes, we wear costumes, we really engage our customers, and it just fit right in with what we already do,” Clemente said.
His repertoire includes holiday favorites like “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” along with classics such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Each performance, though accompanied by a touch of stage fright, has garnered positive reactions from passengers and crew alike.
Just last week, Clemente’s performances took on a more personal note when he had the opportunity to surprise a special passenger: his mother.
After learning she had been rebooked onto one of his flights from Dallas, he arranged to perform for her.
“She just starts bawling, crying, screams back to everybody else in the plane, ‘That’s my son, that’s my son!’” Clemente recalled.
The heartwarming moment was captured on video.
@saxman6184 Surprising mom
♬ original sound - Saxman
The impact of his musical interludes extends beyond mere entertainment.
One passenger’s social media comment particularly touched Clemente, describing how his performance brightened what had been a difficult day leaving family behind.
For the Kingwood resident, who commutes 45 minutes to an hour to work, the rewards go both ways.
“All of the reward, it’s a little unfair because I feel so happy seeing other people happy,” he said. “It gives me joy and any musician knows the healing power of music.”
As millions of travelers make their way through Houston’s airports this holiday season, Clemente hopes his music offers a moment of joy in their journey.
Hugo’s message to others is simple: “Anybody’s capable of putting a smile on a stranger’s face, and you can do it in any way. My way just happened to be with a saxophone.”