Born in Newport Beach, California, in 1958,
Howard began playing at age ten, inspired by recordings of Armstrong,
Basie and Goodman, as well as those by guitarists Barney Kessel,
Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt and George Van Eps. Soon he
was working professionally around Los Angeles playing in groups
ranging from traditional to mainstream to modern jazz. In 1979,
Alden went east, for a summer in Atlantic City with Red Norvo,
and continued to perform with him frequently for several years.
Upon moving to New York City in 1982, Alden's skills, both as
soloist and accompanist, were quickly recognized and sought-out
for appearances and recordings with such artists as Joe Bushkin,
Ruby Braff, Joe Williams, Warren Vache` and Woody Herman.
He has continued to win accolades from critics and musicians
alike, adding Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Mel Powell, Bud Freeman,
Kenny Davern, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie and George Van Eps,
as well as notable contemporaries such as Scott Hamilton and
Ken Peplowski to his list of impressive credits.
Howard Alden has been a Concord Jazz recording artist since
the late '80s where his prolific recorded output as leader,
co-leader, and versatile sideman, has captured an artist of
consistently astonishing virtuosity and originality.
One of the many highlights in Howard Alden's fruitful association
with Concord Jazz came in 1991 when, at the urging of Concord
President, Carl Jefferson, Alden recorded with one of his all-time
heroes, seven-string guitar master George Van Eps on the album
Thirteen Strings .
As a result of his associating with - and inspiration from -
George Van Eps, Alden has been playing the seven-string guitar
since 1992. The seven string guitar imparts a greater range
and harmonic richness to Alden's already colorful tonal palette,
as evidenced on three remarkable follow-up albums with Van Eps,
his critically acclaimed duo recordings with saxophonist/clarinetist
Ken Peplowski, and the stunning interplay between Alden and
special guest Frank Wess on Your Story - The Music of Bill Evans
. Alden also teamed up with fellow guitarists Jimmy Bruno and
Frank Vignola to record a three guitar outing entitled The Concord
Jazz Guitar Collective , which was quickly called by some critics
"an instant classic!"
Alden's recording from 1996 Take Your Pick serves to underline
Howard's wide scope of knowledge of jazz literature. Thoughout
the disc, one is amazed at how skillfully Alden delivers interpretations
with fresh surprises. Michael Moore, Bill Goodwin, Lew Tabackin,
and Renee Rosnes combine with Alden to bring exciting interplay
and thrills around every corner to the ten standard and lesser
known gems hand picked for this recording. Released in honor
of Concord's 25th anniversary was a duo recording with Jimmy
Bruno, Full Circle teamed with the very first Concord recording
Jazz/ Concord featuring Herb Ellis and Joe Pass.
Howard can be heard on the soundtrack to the 1999 Woody Allen
movie "Sweet and Lowdown", starring Sean Penn, who
was also nominated for an Academy Award for his role as a legendary
jazz guitarist in the '30s. Howard not only played all the guitar
solos, but also coached Mr. Penn on playing the guitar for his
role in the film. The London Observer has this to say about
Alden's new solo CD, My Shining Hour ; "If there is such
a thing as a complete jazz guitarist, then Alden is it. Only
a real virtuoso can sustain a whole CD of solo guitar with the
aplomb he displays here." In 2004 Howard was the guitarist(and
musical director) chosen for an all-star line-up commemorating
the 50th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, touring 50
cities of the United States in addition to their appearance
at the Newport Festival. The 2005-2006 season saw Howard adding
his acoustic guitar voice to violinist Mark O’Connor’s
Hot Swing on his national concert tour.
Howard Alden was voted "Best Emerging Talent-Guitar"
in the first annual JazzTimes critics' poll, 1990, and "Talent
Deserving Wider Recognition" in the 1996, 1992, 1993 and
1995 Downbeat critics' poll. As jazz critic Wayne Thompson writes
simply, in Jazzscene, "If there are better young jazz guitar
players in America than Howard Alden, I have yet to hear them."
Howard's growing base of loyal fans couldn't agree more.
