Ollie Howell

Ollie Howell is a multi-award winning drummer, composer and bandleader. Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2011 Ollie has rapidly established himself as an impressive musician, not only performing with various UK and international players but also working regularly with his impressive quintet for which he composes as well as leads. It is a measure of Ollie’s talent that since 2009 he has been mentored by one of the international music scene’s most prestigious figures, Quincy Jones (Michael Jackson), who said of Ollie “He’s so creative I couldn’t believe it... [he] has what it takes to make a life out of music”. The current recipient of the prestigious Peter Whittingham Development Award, Ollie has been signed up to Whirlwind Records for whom he has just produced his critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Sutures and Stitches’, music from which he will be featuring tonight. The music that Ollie wrote to be performed on this album has a fascinating and unique history: in 2009 Ollie was diagnosed with a brain malformation called Arnold Chiari Type 2, which meant that since that time he has had to have numerous neurosurgical operations, the most recent being in 2012. All of the music on the album, some of which was written from his hospital bed, as he says “was composed during and influenced by this incredible journey that I went through during this defining point in my life”. And if all that wasn’t enough he has also been awarded a Sky Academy Arts Scholarship (one of only 5 in the whole of the UK) and performed at this year’s prestigious Love Supreme Festival. Joining Ollie tonight will be some of the most talented of the new generation of UK musicians, Duncan Eagles-sax, Mark Perry-trpt, Matt Robinson-pno and Dan Casimir-bs.

“clever postbop compositions…[showing] idiomatic versatility…highlight both resourceful young pianist Matt Robinson's spontaneity and Howell's melodic talents….a fine debut” Guardian;
“Impressive” Financial Times