Primary Instrument: Harmonica
Howard Levy is a musician without limits. His musical adventures include journeys into jazz, pop, rock, world music, Latin, classical, folk, blues, country, theater, and film. He has appeared on hundred of cd’s, won a Grammy (1997), won a Joseph Jefferson Award (1986) for Best Original Music for a Play, and has performed many times on American and European television and radio.
Universally acknowledged as the world’s most advanced diatonic harmonica player, Howard developed a fully chromatic style on the standard 10 - hole diatonic harmonica, revolutionizing harmonica playing and taking the instrument into totally new territory. He is also an accomplished pianist and composer, and plays many other instruments as well, including flute, ocarina, mandolin, saxophone, and percussion.
Howard was a founding member of the Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. He toured and recorded two albums with Kenny Loggins, and formed Trio Globo with Eugene Friesen and Glen Velez . Howard has also performed and/or recorded with Dolly Parton, Styx, Bobby McFerrin, Paul Simon, John Prine, Paquito D’Rivera, Ken Nordine, and many others, as well as touring and recording extensively in Europe with artists such as Rabih Abou Khalil and Michael Riessler. Recent Highlights
In 2003, Howard released a jazz duo cd with Naumberg Award-winning pianist Anthony Molinaro, entitled The Molinaro/Levy Project “Live”. In 2002, he performed “On the Other Side...” (a triple concerto composed for him, a clarinetist and an accordianist) with The Bavarian State Radio Orchestra in Munich, Germany. In 2001, Howard was commisioned by The Illinois Philharmonic to compose a Harmonica Concerto, the first ever written for diatonic harmonica. Since the debut, he has performed it 9 times, with more perfomances scheduled.
Awards:
Grammy Award, 1997.
”...Playing an extended solo that somehow merged quasi- baroque techniques with swing rhythms, snippets of hokey holiday tunes with passages of brilliant jazz improvisation, Levy unleashed more ideas in this opening solo than many musicians do in an entire set.”
--Howard Reich, The Chicago Tribune, Dec. 1996
“...Howard Levy is a revelation; there are times when it is hard to believe he is playing only a harmonica, for he has the expressive range and depth of a saxophonist.” --Geoff Dyer, The London Observer, March 1994
“...may be the most radical single technical innovator in the history of his instrument...” --Kim Field, Harmonicas, Harps, and Heavy Breathers, Simon & Schuster 1993
Howard Levy | Tonight and Tomorrow
Chicago Sessions
2009
Howard Levy | Alone and Together
Balkan Samba
2009
Riessler/Levy/Matinier | Silver and Black
Enja
2009
Norman Savitt & Friends | Norman Savitt & Friends
Balkan Samba
2009
Andy Tecson | In The Spirit
Church Jazz Records
2009
Darwin Noguera’s Evolution Quintet | The Gardener
Chicago Sessions
2009
Steve Vining | Telling Visions
2009
Victor Wooten | Palmystery
Heads Up HUCD 3135
2008
Joannie Pallato | It's Not Easy
Southport
2008
Theodore Bikel/Alberto Mizrahi | Our Song
Opus Magica
2008
Ernie Hendrickson | Down The Road
Erniehendrickson.com
2007
David Herzhaff | Jazzin' Around
Hland
2007
Matt Geraghty | Passport
MGP Music
2007
Kurt Elling | Nightmoves
ConcordJazz
2007
Darren Keith | Waiting For The Black Drop
2007
Flavio Guimaraes and Prado Blues Band | Flavio Guimaraes and Prado Blues Band
Chico Blues Records
2007
The Mauds | Souldier On
Maudtunes
2007
Various Artists | Acoustic Chicago
Stonecutter Records
2007
Joannie Pallato | It's Not Easy
Southport
2007
Euphoria | Precious Time
Zoe Records
2006
Bruce Gaitsch | Sincerely
Autumn Records
2006
Alan Jackson | Like Red on a Rose
BMG
2006
Howard Levy and Paul Sprawl | Howard Levy and Paul Sprawl
Balkan Samba/Vagabond
2006
Krakatau | Two Worlds
Warta Jazz
2006
Paul Asbell | Roots and Branches
Busy Hands
2005
Donald Fagen | Morph The Cat
Sony
2005
Howard Levy & Fox Fehling | Cappuccino
Balkan Samba
2005
Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer | Scat Like That
Rounder
2005
Bonnie Koloc | Here to Sing
2005
Chevere de Chicago | Secret Dream
Balkan Samba
2005
Frank Macchia | Mo' Animals
Cacophony
2005
The Shims | It's Condos Now
2005
Glen Velez | Rhythms of Awakening
SoundsTrue
2005
Victor Wooten | Soul Circus
Vanguard
2005
Bonnie Koloc | Timeless
2004
Taylor Mesplé | Autumn
InnerCircleProductions
2004
Rick Peregoy | Imagine
2004
Paul Reisler | At Night The Roses Tango
Trapezoid Productions
2004
Siora | Vis A Vis
SioraJazz
2004
Paul Sprawl | Wreckage
Vagabond
2004
Bonnie Koloc | A Bestiary, Animals of the Farm
2003
Glen Velez and Lori Cotler | Elephant Hotel
Daftof Records
2003
Anthony Molinaro / Howard Levy | Live
nineteeneight records
2003
James Conway | Mouth Box
Mouth Box
2002
Luis Ewerling & A Cor do Brasil | Our Earth
OE 7538
2002
JoBelle | Sessions with Friends
2002
Frank Kvinge | Gaucho Batuta
2002
Dayna Malow | Look for the Silver Lining
Jabberwocky
2002
Marshall Vente | Step Up To The Mic
Middle Coast
2002
Lorraine Duisit and Tom Espinola | Songs for Little Country People
CLR
2001
Willy Schwarz | Home
Clearspot
2001
Marshall Vente | Marshall Law
Middle Coast
2001
Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer | Pillow Full of Wishes
Rounder
2000
Tina Lear | Red Hat
Flying Fish
2000
Lynette | Anywhere But Here
Lynette Music
2000
Stefan Bauer/Larry Roy | Summer's Embrace
Joint Adventure
1999
Holly Cole | Temptation [Japan]
Blue Note
1999
Béla Fleck &The Flecktones | Greatest Hits of the 20th Century
Warner Bros.
1999
Freyda & Acoustic Atta Tude | Midnight at Cabell Hall
Red House
1999
Bonnie Koloc | Visual Voice
NAIM
1999
Syd Lieberman | The Dead Sea Scrolls
1999
Howard Levy, Jerry Goodman, Steve Smith, Oteil Burbri | Stranger's Hand
Tone Center
1999
Dean Peer | It's All Good
Turtle Records
1999
Rosanna and Zelia | Coisario
Peregrina
1999
Willy Schwarz | Live for the Moment
Clearspot
1999
Corky Siegel | Solo Flight 1975-1980
Gadfly
1999
Original Soundtrack | Vietnam: Long Time Coming
Sony
1999
Various Artists | Peregrina World
Peregrina Music
1999
Various Artists | Visions of Music: World Jazz
Tiptoe
1999
Terry Callier | Timepeace
Polygram
1998
Holly Cole | Collection
Blue Note
1998
Jamie Janover | Realms
JJD
1998
Lisa Lauren | What Comes Around
Planet Jazz Records
1998
Vicki McCrone | Blessed with a Curse
Stella
1998
Lois Walden | Traveller
Discovery
1998
Various Artists | Go Bullistic
IMI
1998
Rabih Abou Khalil | Odd Times
Enja
1997
John Darnall | Brazilian Dreams
Unison V80472
1997
Eugene Friesen | The Song of Rivers
NETM Records
1997
Bruce Gaitsch | Aphasia
Thoughtscape Records
1997
Cory Jamison | Here's to Hoagy
LML
1997
Jeff Klepper | In This Place
Empty Chair Records
1997
Larry Long | Run for Freedom, Sweet Thunder
Flying Fish
1997
Nelson Rangell | Turning Night into Day
GRP
1997
Hal Willner | Closed on Account of Rabies: Tales of Edgar Allen Poe
Capitol
1997
Various Artists | Celebration of Blues: Great Slide Guitar
Celebration Of Blues
1997
Various Artists | Light Jazz Christmas Eve
Unison
1997
Various Artists | Visions of Christmas: An Instrumental Holiday Collection
Rhino
1997
April Aloisio | Footprints
Southport
1996
Ralph Covert | Popscape: The Best of Ralph Covert
Waterdog
1996
Randy Crafton | Duologue
Lyrichord Records
1996
Carmen Cuesta | One Kiss
Bean Bag
1996
Pat Donohue | Back Roads
Bluesky
1996
Jadranka | Baby Universe
Omagatoki
1996
Howard Levy, Mark Nauseef, Miroslav Tadic | The Old Country
M.A
1996
Pete Seeger | Pete
Living Music
1996
June Shellene | The Lost Art of Love
Waterhole Records
1996
Ben Sidran | Mr. P's Shuffle
Go Jazz Records
1996
Sones de Mexico Ensemble | Que Florenzca!
Sones de Mexico, Inc.
1996
John Tesh Project | Discovery
GTP
1996
Darryl Tookes | Travels of an Ordinary Man
Dondido Records
1996
Original Soundtrack | Time to Kill
Atlantic
1996
Original Soundtrack | Family Thing
Edeltone
1996
Various Artists | Singing Singles
Bean Bag
1996
Various Artists | Festival of Light
Polygram
1996
Jenny Armstrong | Dancing in the Circle
JA Records
1995
Holly Cole | Temptation
Blue Note
1995
Freyda Epstein | Globalullabies
Warner Bros.
1995
Paul Glasse | One More Night
dos
1995
The Freddy Jones Band | North Ave. Wake Up Call
Capricorn Records
1995
Kiltartin Road | Joy to the Morning
Classic Digital
1995
Kiltartin Road | In the Deep Heart's Core
Classic Digital
1995
King of Hearts | My Desire
Pioneer LDC, Inc.
1995
Abra Moore | Sing
Bohemia Beat
1995
Lee Murdock | Freshwater Highway
Depot Records
1995
Ricky Peterson | Tear Can Tell
Ridgetop/Bean Bag
1995
Trapezoid | Long Time Down This Road
Azure
1995
Trio Globo | Carnival of Souls
Silver Wave
1995
Wunderlich | Herz Reise
Pig and Pepper Records
1995
Various Artists | Rounder Christmas Album: Must Be Santa!
Rounder
1995
Various Artists | Winter Celebration
Silver Wave
1995
Various Artists | Silverwolf Homeless Project
Silverwolf
1995
Rabih Abou Khalil | Sultan's Picnic
Enja
1994
April Aloisio | Brazilian Heart
Southport
1994
The Chenille Sisters | True to Life
Red House
1994
Larry Howard | Brighter Side of The Blues
Forefront
1994
Peter Kater | Pursuit of Happiness
Silver Wave
1994
Kenny Loggins | Return to Pooh Corner
Sony
1994
Joanie Pallatto | Who Wrote This Song?
Southport
1994
Michael Reissler | Momentum Mobile
Enja
1994
Henry Shapiro | Whatever Swings
Big Shot Records
1994
The Subdudes | Annunciation
Windham Hill
1994
Alan Taylor | Forever Dance
A&M
1994
Darryl Tookes | Rendezvous
Capitol
1994
Trapezoid | Remembered Ways
Azure
1994
Trio Globo | Trio Globo
Silver Wave
1994
Various Artists | Best of Mountain Stage Live, Vol. 7
Blue Plate
1994
Holly Cole | Don't Smoke in Bed
Blue Note
1993
Ralph Covert | Eat at Godot's
Waterdog
1993
Douglas Day | Jackson's Kite
Kitemusic
1993
Paul Glasse | Road to Home
Antone's
1993
Kenny Loggins | Outside: From the Redwoods
Sony
1993
Lee Murdock | Safe in The Harbor
Depot Records
1993
Ken Nordine | Upper Limbo
Grateful Dead
1993
John Prine | Great Days: John Prine Anthology
Rhino
1993
Ben Sidran | Life's a Lesson
Go Jazz Records
1993
Spyro Gyra | Dreams Beyond Control
GRP
1993
Happy and Artie Traum | The Test of Time
Roaring Stream Records
1993
Glen Velez | Border States
Interworld
1993
Jon Weber | Jazz Wagon
IMI Records
1993
Paul Wertico | Yin and the Yout
Intuition Records
1993
Brendan Croker | Great Indoors
Jive
1992
Béla Fleck &The Flecktones | UFO Tofu
Warner Bros.
1992
Anne Hills w/ Shinobu Sato | On This Day Earth Shall Ring:...
Flying Fish
1992
Ken Nordine | Devout Catalyst
Grateful Dead
1992
Hal Willner | Weird Nightmare (Music of Charles Mingus)
Capitol
1992
Joe Wolfe/Burt Wolf | Dream a Little Dream
Transitions Music
1992
Various Artists | Rainbow Sign
Rounder
1992
Various Artists | Weird Nightmare: Meditations on Mingus
Columbia
1992
Various Artists | Cmpler 2
CMP
1992
Various Artists | Horizons: Cross Cultural Jazz Sampler
Music of the World
1992
Dick Boyell | Mood Goddess
Nuance
1991
Béla Fleck &The Flecktones | Flight of the Cosmic Hippo
Warner Bros.
1991
Béla Fleck &The Flecktones | Live Art
Warner Bros.
1991
Paul Glasse | Paul Glasse
Amazing
1991
Original Soundtrack | Straight Talk
Hollywood
1991
David Bromberg | Sideman Serenade
Rounder
1990
Béla Fleck &The Flecktones | Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
Warner Bros.
1990
Ken Nordine | Triple Talk
Snail
1990
Styx | Turn of the Century
A&M
1990
Si Kahn | I'll Be There: Songs for Jobs with Justice
Flying Fish
1989
John McCutcheon | Water from Another Time
Rounder
1989
Maura O'Connell | Helpless Heart
Warner Brothers
1989
Sally Rogers | Generations
Flying Fish
1989
Glen Velez | Assyrian Rose
CMP
1989
Various Artists | Tribute to Steve Goodman
Mobil Fidelity
1989
Dennis DeYoung | Boomchild
A&M
1988
John McCutcheon | Mail Myself To You
Rounder
1988
Ken Nordine | Grandson Of Word Jazz
Snail
1988
Fred Small | I Will Stand Fast
Flying Fish
1988
Steve Goodman | Unfinished Business
Red Pajamas
1987
Bonnie Koloc | With You on My Side
Flying Fish
1987
John McCutcheon | Gonna Rise Again
Rounder
1987
Jim Post | Jim Post & Friends
Flying Fish
1987
Dennis DeYoung | Back to the World
A&M
1986
Paquito D'Rivera | Explosion
CBS
1986
Howard Levy | Harmonica Jazz
Tall Thin
1986
Tom Paxton | And Loving You
Rounder
1986
Tom Paxton | Love Songs
Rounder
1986
Larry Karush | Piano Crossroads
Music Of The World
1985
John McCutcheon | Howjadoo
Rounder
1985
Tom Paxton | One Million Lawyers & Other Disasters
Flying Fish
1985
Claudia Schmidt | Out of the Dark
Flying Fish
1985
The Balkan Rhythm Band | The Jazziest Balkan Dance Band Around
Flying Fish
1984
Andrew Calhoun | The Gates Of Love
Flying Fish
1984
Bob Gibson | Uptown Saturday Night
Hogeye
1984
Si Kahn | Unfinished Portraits
Flying Fish
1984
Chuck Mangione | Save Tonight for Me
A&M
1984
John McCutcheon | Winter Solstice
Rounder
1984
Lorraine Duisit | Hawks & Herons
Flying Fish
1983
Tom Paxton | Bulletin
Hogeye
1983
Claudia Schmidt | New Goodbyes, Old Hellos
Flying Fish
1983
Trapezoid | Cool of the Day
Sugar Hill
1983
Paul Berliner And Kudu | Home, Home on the Road
Flying Fish
1982
Si Kahn | Doing My Job
Flying Fish
1982
Claudia Schmidt | Midwestern Heart
Flying Fish
1981
Ellen Mcilwaine | Everybody Needs It
Blind Pig
1980
Paul Berliner And Kudu | The Sun Rises Late Here
Flying Fish
1979
Si Kahn | Home
Flying Fish
1979
John Prine | Pink Cadillac
Oh Boy
1979
Don Lange | Natural Born Heathen
1979
John Prine | Bruised Orange
Oh Boy
1978
Martin, Bogan And Armstrong | That Old Gang Of Mine
Flying Fish
1978
Bryan Bowers | The View from Home
Flying Fish
1977
Jerry Butler | It All Comes Out In My Song
Motown
1977
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