Howard Alden

Howard Alden is widely regarded as one of the finest jazz guitarists in the US, having worked prolifically as a leader, co-leader, and versatile sideman on numerous recordings and gigs since the late 1970’s. He has worked with a stellar list of jazz luminaries including the likes of Woody Herman, Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Bud Freeman, Kenny Davern, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, George Van Eps and Scott Hamilton. Howard has been playing the unusual seven-string guitar since 1992, which has imparted an astonishing range and harmonic richness to his already colourful tonal palette, and helps explain why he won "Best Emerging Talent-Guitar" in the first annual JazzTimes critics' poll in 1990, as well as the coveted "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" award in Downbeat’s 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996 critics’ polls. Most recently, Downbeat also recognized Howard as one of the “Top 75 Guitarists of All Time”, an accolade few can match. It was Howard’s guitar playing that featured in Woody Allen’s classic film “Sweet and Lowdown” (about a jazz guitarist), and he was signed to the prestigious Concord Jazz label for over fifteen years. With a creative flow that shows no sign of slowing down, Howard put out a new album “Heavy Artillery” in 2013 and another, simply titled “Guitar” in 2014. The gig tonight also features leading lights of the UK jazz scene, including saxophonist Olly Wilby (Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Ray Gelato & the Giants), drummer Seb de Krom (Jamie Cullum) and highly respected bass player Simon Woolf. If you like your music swinging and unashamedly straight ahead then this gig is definitely for you.

"...undoubtedly the master of real jazz guitar playing today.” Jazz Journal International;
"Alden is a deft virtuoso...producing…fleet, seamless improvisations." Daily Telegraph