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Howard develops his craft through collaboration. His improvisation teacher Dave DeFries (Loose Tubes, Brotherhood of Breath, Rip Rig and Panic) inspired a deep love for Cuban and Latin music, leading to repeated trips to Cuba with Christian Weaver and associate Cuban masters Chaguito, Justo Pelladito, members of Cuban bands Conjunto Clave y Guaguanco, Ire Otonawa, AfroCuba de Mantanzas, Los Componedores de Batea and Obba Wemirele.
Studying the musical languages of Cuban rumba and AfroCuban religious music inspired a deeper understanding of music’s role in dance, song and theatre.
His love for the music of Charles Mingus and a chance meeting with Sue Mingus in New York led to him gaining her support for recording and producing his own arrangements of Charles’ works.
He is currently studying the saz/baglama through Turkish folk song and Psyche.
Has tutored in Cuban Carnival Music, brass percussion and song for La Timbala, and guest tutored on the ‘OneVoiceMusic’ Afrocuban studies course.
Has been creative practitioner on the postgraduate course at Leeds College of Music.
Design consultant for Proper Job Theatre Company.
As a craftsman and designer Howard works in wood, metal, leather and textiles.
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Architects of Rosslyn Composition and sound duo
Skjöldr Konungr Viking Band
Trauma Social collective
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Clarinets specialising in the low end; bass clarinet and contra-bass clarinet
Saxophones specialising in the low end but happy on soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass
Other curiosity wind instruments, double reed shehnai from China, Brazilian clarinet
Drum kit, specialising in building bespoke kits for each artist and collaboration
Percussion. Trained in Havana/Matanzas over many years on congas, bongos, Latin percussion. Large collection of hand percussion from around the globe. Also found sounds trash, curiosity percussion collection, Foley and sound effects
Saz/baglama (Turkish lute)
Bass guitar
Piano/keyboards
Vocals Cuban songs, Turkish songs Old Norse and backing vocals
