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Richard Howell

Being an artist offers me opportunities to enrich and enhance the lives of others while satisfying my joy to contribute to others well being other than monetary. The creative process promotes good mental health, a sense of value and self-worth for me. There was always a fascination for me how people reacted to music. Some people dance to music, others listen in silence as a quiet or reflective time, some listen for distraction or escapism, others create organizations, social gatherings or use music to tell stories and express their feelings.

Jazz has always been where people come together across a seemingly unbridgeable divide, it’s truth-telling music, my language. Jazz music became the truest expression of community and a common element of connection to bridge what is uncommon.

My music celebrates diversity as it bridges, unites and merges the experience of all listeners. I define it as ‘Bridge Music”. ”Bridge Music" is a jazz pathway over obstacles that joins differences and links through the sonic connection. Its roots are based in the spirit of John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme ”, in the contradiction of James Browns simplistic yet complicated African inspired rhythmic concepts to the deep soulfulness of the Isley Brothers forever touching our hearts.

I have had the privilege to perform with numerous Pop, Soul, and Jazz music Industry icons. I am in gratitude to have been able to record, perform and share the stages across the globe from America to Africa performing the Zellerbach Hall to the Royal Albert Hall with many wonderful musicians local and international artist such as Etta James, Chaka Khan and Maurice White to only name a few and the new voices of jazz with the likes of Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah.

Today I lecture Jazz History with JazzTree Education internationally, I am an intricate part of Oaktown Jazz Workshops, an active saxophonist, and educator a "producer gunslinger for hire" of Jazz, Funk, World and Pop kinds of music while culminating all these experiences I lead two extremely powerful Jazz ensembles, RHQuartet and Richard Howell and Sudden Changes.

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9
Album Review

Richard Howell: Moon Over Tiburon

Read "Moon Over Tiburon" reviewed by Jack Bowers


After easing past the words of praise for San Francisco Bay-area based saxophonist / educator Richard Howell's “spiritual connection" and the description of his work as “bridge music," uniting and merging the experiences of listeners, it sounds much like probative contemporary small-group jazz. Besides playing saxophone (and singing, on the soulful anthem “We Are All Connected"), Howell composed (and presumably arranged) every number on Moon Over Tiburon, a cerebral exercise that is heavy on group interplay and strong, close-knit rhythm, ...

3
Album Review

Richard Howell: Coming Of Age - MANGAKU

Read "Coming Of Age - MANGAKU" reviewed by Neri Pollastri


Il sassofonista Richard Howell è una personalità musicale piuttosto singolare: nativo di Los Angeles, attivo dagli anni Ottanta a San Francisco, ha avuto per maestri sassofonisti come Justo Almario, specialista di latin jazz, e Don Myrick, degli Earth, Wind and Fire, per poi suonare con Don Cherry e Charlie Haden, ma anche con cantanti blues e soul come Etta James e Chaka Khan. Accanto all'attività di musicista Howell ha anche svolto quella di produttore, frequentando artisti di ogni genere. Tutta ...

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36

Recording

Saxophonist Richard Howell - Exciting New Release 'Moon Over Tiburon' on November 12th

Saxophonist Richard Howell - Exciting New Release 'Moon Over Tiburon' on November 12th

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Moon Over Tiburon—Richard Howell's first solo album in a while with the release date: November 12, 2020 on Pomona Sunrise Records. There were plans to record in the future with his group Richard Howell and Sudden Changes, BUT 2020 brought unforeseen challenges. So, Richard enlisted alumni from his group RHQ like the soulful virtuoso pianist Frederick Harris and bassist Gary Brown and from Richard Howell and Sudden Changes the extraordinary talents of the youngster Elé Salif Howell and master percussionist ...

5

Recording

Richard Howell "Coming Of Age - Mangaku" Introducing Elé Salif Howell with Special Guest Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah

Richard Howell "Coming Of Age - Mangaku"  Introducing Elé Salif Howell with Special Guest Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

"I have the deepest respect for his musical abilities. He walks in the same path as the great ones: Joe Henderson, Don Myrick to be mentioned in the same light. I have a great belief in his talents. He will continue to make contributions in the time to come."—Maurice White-founder of Earth Wind & Fire. Coming Of Age Mangaku Introducing Elé Salif Howell with special guest Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah featuring: Frederick Harris, Charles McNeal, Ravi Abcarian, Danny Armstrong, and ...

Pharoah Sanders
saxophone, tenor
Michael Brecker
saxophone, tenor
John Coltrane
saxophone
Wilton Felder
saxophone, tenor
Kenny Garrett
saxophone, alto
Charles Lloyd
saxophone

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Quinta Essentia

Global Fusion Music
2022

buy

Moon Over Tiburon

Pomona Sunrise Records
2020

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From: Moon Over Tiburon
By Richard Howell

We Are All Connected

From: Moon Over Tiburon
By Richard Howell

Coming Of Age

From: Coming Of Age - MANGAKU
By Richard Howell

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