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Howard was born on September 15, 1956 in Philadelphia. He was only six when he began taking music lessons at school on clarinet and bassoon.<ref name="jazztimes.com">{{cite news | last = Myers | first = Patricia | title = George Howard: Urban Renewal | work = The Jazz Times | date = March 1, 1998 | url = https://jazztimes.com/archives/george-howard-urban-renewal/ | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref> Influenced by [[John Coltrane]] and [[Wayne Shorter]], he later on chose the soprano saxophone, because it resembled the bassoon.<ref>{{cite news | title = George Howard; Jazz Saxophonist, Multiple Grammy Nominee | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 28, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-28-mn-33528-story.html | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref> By the time he was 15, he began touring the country with notable rhythm-and-blues groups such as [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]], [[First Choice (group)|First Choice]] and [[Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Arnold | first = Thomas K. | title = Kool and Gang, Jazz Greats on Tap | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 18, 1988 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-18-ca-2836-story.html | access-date = March 10, 2022}}</ref> In the late 1970s, he toured with saxophonist [[Grover Washington, Jr.]], who was one of his idols.<ref name="jazztimes.com">{{cite news | last = Myers | first = Patricia | title = George Howard: Urban Renewal | work = The Jazz Times | date = March 1, 1998 | url = https://jazztimes.com/archives/george-howard-urban-renewal/ | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref>
Howard was born on September 15, 1956 in Philadelphia. He was only six when he began taking music lessons at school on clarinet and bassoon.<ref name="jazztimes.com">{{cite news | last = Myers | first = Patricia | title = George Howard: Urban Renewal | work = The Jazz Times | date = March 1, 1998 | url = https://jazztimes.com/archives/george-howard-urban-renewal/ | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref> Influenced by [[John Coltrane]] and [[Wayne Shorter]], he later on chose the soprano saxophone, because it resembled the bassoon.<ref>{{cite news | title = George Howard; Jazz Saxophonist, Multiple Grammy Nominee | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 28, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-28-mn-33528-story.html | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref> By the time he was 15, he began touring the country with notable rhythm-and-blues groups such as [[Blue Magic (band)|Blue Magic]], [[First Choice (group)|First Choice]] and [[Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Arnold | first = Thomas K. | title = Kool and Gang, Jazz Greats on Tap | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 18, 1988 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-18-ca-2836-story.html | access-date = March 10, 2022}}</ref> In the late 1970s, he toured with saxophonist [[Grover Washington, Jr.]], who was one of his idols.<ref name="jazztimes.com">{{cite news | last = Myers | first = Patricia | title = George Howard: Urban Renewal | work = The Jazz Times | date = March 1, 1998 | url = https://jazztimes.com/archives/george-howard-urban-renewal/ | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref>


In the early 1980s, Howard started his solo career, and released his first and second studio albums, ''Asphalt Gardens'' in 1982, and ''[[Steppin' Out (George Howard album)|Steppin' Out]]'' in 1984. Both albums were well received and ranked high on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine jazz album charts at No. 25 and 9, respectively. The last track on 'Steppin' Out' is called 'Dream Ride', and features Howard playing soprano saxophone.<ref>{{Citation|title=George Howard - Dream Ride|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnFHV8Ymkeg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/bnFHV8Ymkeg |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-08-08}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The track was promoted in 1984 in the [[United Kingdom]] by DJ [[Robbie Vincent]], and is now a classic among soul and jazz enthusiasts. By 1985, his third album, ''Dancing in the Sun'', had scaled the ''Billboard'' Jazz Album chart to No. 1. Each of his next three albums, ''Love Will Follow'' (1986), ''A Nice Place to Be'' (1986), and ''Reflections'' (1988), would also reach this height in the Jazz Album chart. After the success of ''Dancing in the Sun'', Howard left [[GRP Records]] to join [[MCA Records]] through the 1988 release of ''Reflections''. His next album ''Personal'' was released in 1990, which featured his biggest hit ''Shower You With Love''.<ref name="fullerup">{{cite news | title = Saxophonist George Howard Passes at 41 | work = Fuller Up, The Dead Musicians Directory | date = March 22, 1998 | url = http://elvispelvis.com/georgehoward.htm | accessdate = March 16, 2022}}</ref>
In the early 1980s, Howard started his solo career, and released his first and second studio albums, ''Asphalt Gardens'' in 1982, and ''[[Steppin' Out (George Howard album)|Steppin' Out]]'' in 1984. Both albums were well received and ranked high on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine jazz album charts at No. 25 and 9, respectively. The last track on 'Steppin' Out' is called 'Dream Ride', and features Howard playing soprano saxophone.<ref>{{Citation|title=George Howard - Dream Ride|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnFHV8Ymkeg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/bnFHV8Ymkeg |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-08-08}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The track was promoted in 1984 in the [[United Kingdom]] by DJ [[Robbie Vincent]], and is now a classic among soul and jazz enthusiasts. By 1985, his third album, ''Dancing in the Sun'', had scaled the ''Billboard'' Jazz Album chart to No. 1. Each of his next three albums, ''Love Will Follow'' (1986), ''A Nice Place to Be'' (1986), and ''Reflections'' (1988), would also reach this height in the Jazz Album chart. After the success of ''Dancing in the Sun'', Howard left [[GRP Records]] to join [[MCA Records]] through the 1988 release of ''Reflections''. His next album ''Personal'' was released in 1990, which featured his biggest hit ''Shower You With Love''.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news | last = | first = | title = Deaths Elsewhere | work = The Washington Post | date = March 27, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/03/27/deaths-elsewhere/57d4b7b7-3201-47d2-92c6-4c68c47b19a7/ | accessdate = June 29, 2022}}</ref><ref name="fullerup">{{cite news | title = Saxophonist George Howard Passes at 41 | work = Fuller Up, The Dead Musicians Directory | date = March 22, 1998 | url = http://elvispelvis.com/georgehoward.htm | accessdate = March 16, 2022}}</ref>


However, he returned to GRP in 1990 and released ''Love and Understanding'' in 1991. It was followed by ''Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?'' (1992), ''When Summer Comes'' (1993), ''A Home Far Away'' (1994), and ''Attitude Adjustment'' (1996). His first five years with GRP, plus a selection of his MCA recordings, were summarized on 1997's ''The Very Best of George Howard and Then Some''. During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Howard preformed at a hospitality house for the continent of Africa, which influenced his music after a visit there.<ref name="fullerup">{{cite news | title = Saxophonist George Howard Passes at 41 | work = Fuller Up, The Dead Musicians Directory | date = March 22, 1998 | url = http://elvispelvis.com/georgehoward.htm | accessdate = March 16, 2022}}</ref> Howard returned to recording with ''Midnight Mood'', which was released in January 1998, his final album before his death two months later. He stayed with GRP until his death from [[colon cancer]] at the age of 41 on March 20, 1998 in Atlanta.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | title = George Howard, 41, Jazz Saxophonist | work = The New York Times | date = April 20, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/20/arts/george-howard-41-jazz-saxophonist.html | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref> His final album, ''There's a Riot Goin' On'' was released posthumously by [[Blue Note Records]] two months after his death.
However, he returned to GRP in 1990 and released ''Love and Understanding'' in 1991. It was followed by ''Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?'' (1992), ''When Summer Comes'' (1993), ''A Home Far Away'' (1994), and ''Attitude Adjustment'' (1996). His first five years with GRP, plus a selection of his MCA recordings, were summarized on 1997's ''The Very Best of George Howard and Then Some''. During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Howard preformed at a hospitality house for the continent of Africa, which influenced his music after a visit there.<ref name="fullerup">{{cite news | title = Saxophonist George Howard Passes at 41 | work = Fuller Up, The Dead Musicians Directory | date = March 22, 1998 | url = http://elvispelvis.com/georgehoward.htm | accessdate = March 16, 2022}}</ref> Howard returned to recording with ''Midnight Mood'', which was released in January 1998, his final album before his death two months later. He stayed with GRP until his death from [[colon cancer]] at the age of 41 on March 20, 1998 in Atlanta.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | title = George Howard, 41, Jazz Saxophonist | work = The New York Times | date = April 20, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/20/arts/george-howard-41-jazz-saxophonist.html | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news | last = | first = | title = Deaths Elsewhere | work = The Washington Post | date = March 27, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/03/27/deaths-elsewhere/57d4b7b7-3201-47d2-92c6-4c68c47b19a7/ | accessdate = June 29, 2022}}</ref> His final album, ''There's a Riot Goin' On'' was released posthumously by [[Blue Note Records]] two months after his death.


Howard was survived by his daughter, Jade Howard, and two sisters, Mary Howard and Doris Beverly.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | title = George Howard, 41, Jazz Saxophonist | work = The New York Times | date = April 20, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/20/arts/george-howard-41-jazz-saxophonist.html | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref>
Howard was survived by his daughter, Jade Howard, and two sisters, Mary Howard and Doris Beverly.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | title = George Howard, 41, Jazz Saxophonist | work = The New York Times | date = April 20, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/20/arts/george-howard-41-jazz-saxophonist.html | access-date = March 9, 2022}}</ref>

Revision as of 05:45, 29 June 2022

George Howard
George Howard, 1992
George Howard, 1992
Background information
Born(1956-09-15)September 15, 1956
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 20, 1998(1998-03-20) (aged 41)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresSmooth jazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentSaxophone
Years active1970s–1998
LabelsPalo Alto, MCA, GRP

George Howard (September 15, 1956 – March 20, 1998) was an American smooth jazz saxophonist.[1]

Music career

Howard was born on September 15, 1956 in Philadelphia. He was only six when he began taking music lessons at school on clarinet and bassoon.[2] Influenced by John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter, he later on chose the soprano saxophone, because it resembled the bassoon.[3] By the time he was 15, he began touring the country with notable rhythm-and-blues groups such as Blue Magic, First Choice and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes.[4] In the late 1970s, he toured with saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., who was one of his idols.[2]

In the early 1980s, Howard started his solo career, and released his first and second studio albums, Asphalt Gardens in 1982, and Steppin' Out in 1984. Both albums were well received and ranked high on the Billboard magazine jazz album charts at No. 25 and 9, respectively. The last track on 'Steppin' Out' is called 'Dream Ride', and features Howard playing soprano saxophone.[5] The track was promoted in 1984 in the United Kingdom by DJ Robbie Vincent, and is now a classic among soul and jazz enthusiasts. By 1985, his third album, Dancing in the Sun, had scaled the Billboard Jazz Album chart to No. 1. Each of his next three albums, Love Will Follow (1986), A Nice Place to Be (1986), and Reflections (1988), would also reach this height in the Jazz Album chart. After the success of Dancing in the Sun, Howard left GRP Records to join MCA Records through the 1988 release of Reflections. His next album Personal was released in 1990, which featured his biggest hit Shower You With Love.[6][7]

However, he returned to GRP in 1990 and released Love and Understanding in 1991. It was followed by Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? (1992), When Summer Comes (1993), A Home Far Away (1994), and Attitude Adjustment (1996). His first five years with GRP, plus a selection of his MCA recordings, were summarized on 1997's The Very Best of George Howard and Then Some. During the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Howard preformed at a hospitality house for the continent of Africa, which influenced his music after a visit there.[7] Howard returned to recording with Midnight Mood, which was released in January 1998, his final album before his death two months later. He stayed with GRP until his death from colon cancer at the age of 41 on March 20, 1998 in Atlanta.[8][6] His final album, There's a Riot Goin' On was released posthumously by Blue Note Records two months after his death.

Howard was survived by his daughter, Jade Howard, and two sisters, Mary Howard and Doris Beverly.[8]

Discography

  • 1982 Asphalt Gardens (Palo Alto)
  • 1984 Steppin' Out (Palo Alto)
  • 1985 Dancing in the Sun (Palo Alto)
  • 1986 Love Will Follow (Palo Alto)
  • 1986 A Nice Place to Be (MCA)
  • 1988 Reflections (MCA)
  • 1990 Personal (MCA)
  • 1991 Love and Understanding (GRP)
  • 1992 Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? (GRP)
  • 1993 When Summer Comes (GRP)
  • 1994 A Home Far Away (GRP)
  • 1996 Attitude Adjustment (GRP)
  • 1998 Midnight Mood (GRP)
  • 1998 There's a Riot Goin' On (Blue Note)

References

  1. ^ George Howard at AllMusic
  2. ^ a b Myers, Patricia (March 1, 1998). "George Howard: Urban Renewal". The Jazz Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  3. ^ "George Howard; Jazz Saxophonist, Multiple Grammy Nominee". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 1998. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  4. ^ Arnold, Thomas K. (May 18, 1988). "Kool and Gang, Jazz Greats on Tap". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  5. ^ George Howard - Dream Ride, archived from the original on December 13, 2021, retrieved August 8, 2021
  6. ^ a b "Deaths Elsewhere". The Washington Post. March 27, 1998. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Saxophonist George Howard Passes at 41". Fuller Up, The Dead Musicians Directory. March 22, 1998. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "George Howard, 41, Jazz Saxophonist". The New York Times. April 20, 1998. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
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