Howard Alden

8:30pm 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. He has worked with a stellar list of jazz luminaries including the likes of Woody Herman, Benny Carter, Bud Freeman, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie 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, which explains why he won "Best Emerging Talent-Guitar" in the first annual JazzTimes critics' poll, 1990, and "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" in the 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996 Downbeat critics' poll. It was also Howard’s guitar playing that featured in Woody Allen’s classic film (about a jazz guitarist) “Sweet and Lowdown”. Howard’s latest recording “Heavy Artillery”, released earlier this year, received four stars from Downbeat. The gig tonight also features leading lights of the UK jazz scene, the beautifully melodic saxophonist Geoff Simkins and the 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