Film from Charlie Wrights Jan 1st with Brandon's quartet (Brandon Allen - Tenor/Chris Allard - Guitar/ Ross Stanley - Hammond)
DYLAN HOWE
Dylan started playing drums at 10. His distinctive groove and versatility has led him to be drummer of choice for leading artists and producers worldwide. Naturally at home in nearly any musical setting or genre, DH has spent the past five years focusing on his jazz groups, honing his compositional skills, gathering critical acclaim for his four albums and tandem nationwide tours as well as gaining attention for his evolving style behind the drum kit.
Mostly self-taught, and having picked up the sticks to jam with his dad Yes guitarist Steve Howe in 1979, Dylan has been particularly influenced by Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Stewart Copeland, Dennis Davis, John Bonham, Al Jackson Jr and the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Igor Stravinsky, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and the Muppets.
An active member of legendary band The Blockheads for over 12 years and session credits on over 60 albums and hundreds of live TV appearances, Dylan's love of jazz has run like a thread through his successful session and sideman career (credits include Nick Cave, Damon Albarn, Portishead, Robert Wyatt, Ian Dury and The Blockheads, Ray Davies, Gabrielle, Sir Paul McCartney, Gilad Atzmon, Stan Sulzmann and Courtney Pine among many others), 2008 sees Dylan touring with his new 'Unity 4' group, Steve Howe Trio, Portishead splinter group The Blessing, Beth Rowley and new projects for 2009.
'Dylan Howe, rightly acclaimed as one of the best drummers of his generation.' RONNIE SCOTTS
'Inspiring and invigorating in any genre.' 'THE GUARDIAN
'A superb player.' THE OBSERVER
'Swings like an old veteran.' MODERN DRUMMER
'Dylan Howe makes it new. The way he plays it, it's as if Be-bop were still hot and wet from its Harlem womb - he plays time from the heart.' ROBERT WYATT
'Dylan Howe simply does all the right things.' MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
'You funky little bastard.' IAN DURY
'The best new young drummer to emerge since Phil Collins or Stewart Copeland.' YESWORLD
'Howe swings effortlessly.' **** DRUMMER MAGAZINE
DYLAN HOWE QUINTET
"The best neo-bop group in the country" - Jack Massarik - London Evening Standard
"Thoughtful, well constructed, passionate, excellent…a credit to UK jazz…." JAZZWISE
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DYLAN HOWE AND THE SUBTERRANEANS
David Bowie’s Low & “Heroes” Re-imagined
DH's new improvising 6 piece with
Adrian Utley (Portishead), The Solid Strings
& Very special guests
"A formidable lineup…immaculate, entrancing collective performance.
Howe’s trademark powerful yet delicate drumming was the motor propelling this finely-tuned engine. Every piece told its own story. This will not be easily forgotten…" Frederick Bernas
JAZZWISE MAGAZINE
"Dylan Howe's self-styled "reimagining" of Bowie's instrumental meisterwerks invests them with new life while remaining true to their original spirit. His mini-orchestra (ensemble?) treat the originals as blueprints for some inventive flights of fancy but remain recognisably anchored in Bowie's Berlin. The Thin White Duke would surely approve." Tim Cooper, Music Editor, Contemporary Magazine.
Launched at the 2007 London Jazz Festival
BOOKING FOR March 2009
Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Philly Jo-Jones, Tony Williams, Ed Blackwell, Billy Higgins, Shelly Manne, Papa Jo Jones, Ed Thigpen, Jo Morello, Bill Stewart, Ari Hoenig, John Riley
Al Jackson Jr, Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Phil Collins, Chester Thompson, Steve Gadd, Hal Blaine, Keith Carlock, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie
and the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Stax, Motown, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Yes, Frank Zappa, Ornette Coleman, Frank Sinatra, Claude Debussy, Steve Reich and Igor Stravinsky - you know, stuff/people like that ...
Sounds Like
ON PLAYER ABOVE
SOME TEXT:
Considered one of the best drummers of his generation, Dylan Howe formed his critically acclaimed quintet in 2003.
Assembling some of the hottest young players on the London jazz scene & releasing three critically acclaimed albums with national tours in tandem since then, the Dylan Howe Quintet is viewed by many as the most exciting pure jazz group working in the UK today.
They sound like they might admire Miles Davis & John Coltrane a little, peppered with some modern classical undertones too.
Playing new original compositions & unique, swinging re-workings of classic standards.
Last year saw the release of Translation - recorded live in Soho - Volume 1. This was the first live album for the quintet, featuring their really rather good original compositions.
2007 saw the release of
TRANSLATION 2 - STANDARDS AND PREVIEWS
The sequel to 2006's highly acclaimed volume 1.
this new album draws on the groups exciting live performances of classic standards with added bonus tracks & previews of my new projects for 2008.
ALBUMS AVAILABLE: (links | info below)
'TRANSLATION 2 - STANDARDS AND PREVIEWS' (2007. MOTORIK)
'TRANSLATION - RECORDED LIVE IN SOHO-VOLUME 1' (2006.MOTORIK)
'THIS IS IT' (2004.OT Records)
'THE WAY I HEAR IT' (2003.OT Records)
RECENT REVIEWS OF THE DYLAN HOWE QUINTET:
“This is contemporary, fresh energetic jazz played with brio and luxuriant swing that makes it music of today. Howe has that gift not only of swing, but to play oh, so quietly, making you listen to his very restraint, as he encourages his family of drums to talk together. Just file under a bloody good night out.” Andy Robson Jazzwise October ‘06
“Sharply dressed modal & bop from drummer Howe’s cracking quintet” The Independent
“The swinging British hard-bop drummer” Critic’s choice - The Guide
“Searing modal, scorching originals - superb retro-hard bop” Critic’s Choice - Time out *
“Intelligent hard bop with a melodic twist.” Clive Davis: Critic’s choice - The Times
“A looseness reminiscent of Miles's 1960s ensemble. He knows exactly how the dynamics and drama of this idiom are supposed to work, and he proves himself to be a sophisticated composer of slow tone-poetry.” John Fordham
“The remarkable cohesion of the whole band.. Howe's needle-sharp drum fills... and that indefinable sense of occasion which comes when a band knows it is working at the top of its form” Dave Gelly - The Observer
“Howe handles the Blue Note genre with ease! Stimulating.”
Jack Massarik - Jazz Cd of the Week: London Evening Standard
Listings / notices:
Time Out July 2006:
“Searing modal hard bop from drummer Howe, playing scorching originals and drawing on the spirit of classic 60’s Blue Note”
The Times Top Five Jazz August 9 2006
“Intelligent hard bop with a melodic twist, as the drummer performs material from his latest album ‘Translation’.”
Clive Davis
The Observer Critics Choice 13/08/06
“A sharp young band breathing new life and inspiration into the hard bop idiom”
World Entertainment News Network (WENN)
" Firmly mooted as the scenes most happening pure jazz outfit - this highly acclaimed, hard swinging London based modern jazz quintet blow the roof off any venue they appear at. Igniting full houses, inspiring rave reviews and forging vital explorations of forward-thinking original instrumental music.”
Mini Biographies:
* DYLAN HOWE: Drums.
Age: 37. Grew up in Hampstead, North London.
Mainly self-taught, studied a bit with Bill Bruford & Bob Armstrong & Jonathan Mover though & studied quite a few books & these guys...Influences: Roy Haynes | Elvin Jones | Philly-Jo-Jones | Tony Williams | Jo Morello | Jo Jones
Played with: Stan Sulzmann | Gilad Atzmon | Pete King | Guy Barker | Jim Mullen | Courtney Pine | Ian Dury & The Blockheads | Ray Davies | Paul McCartney | Nick Cave
| Damon Albarn
PLEASE NOTE:
THIS SITE IS PURELY TO DO WITH MY MUSIC
I WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY UNSOLICITED CORRESPONDENCE TO DO WITH ANYTHING ELSE. MANY THANKS. DH
Quotes from 2003-2005:
"JUST THE RIGHT MERCURIAL TOUCH...YOU MIGHT WELL ASSUME THAT IT CAME FROM ONE OF THE MORE ADVANCED BLUE NOTE SESSIONS OF THE MID 1960’S”
DAVE GELLY: JAZZ CD OF THE WEEK. THE OBSERVER August 2005
“INSPIRING AND INVIGORATING” THE GUARDIAN
“...INCREASINGLY ADMIRED...“ JAZZ UK
“FINE DRUMMING...SPARKY MODERN JAZZ QUINTET" TIMEOUT
“THESE ARE JAZZ DRUMS” BILL BRUFORD
"THE DRUMMER-LED QUINTET PLAY WITH A DEXTERITY AND MATURITY TO MATCH ANY MAINSTREAM/HARD-BOP ARTISTS OF THE 50'S AND 60'S. THIS IS 'IT' IF YOU LIKE SERIOUS JAZZ." MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
“HOWE SWINGS EFFORTLESSLY” **** DRUMMER MAGAZINE
“DYLAN HOWE SIMPLY DOES ALL THE RIGHT THINGS” MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
“ SIT BACK AND ENJOY AN UNFUSSY, VERY SWINGING DEBUT” ANDY ROBSON. JAZZWISE.
“ HIS FILLS AND CYMBAL RIDES EVOKE MEMORIES OF THE GREAT ELVIN JONES
AND PHILLY-JO JONES” JAZZ JOURNAL
Dylan Howe Quintet ‘Translation’ full reviews 2006:
Jazzwise Magazine October 2006:
“It’s too easy to file Howe and his splendid quintet in some kind of purist, born again Blue Note mode. All three of Howe’s releases have drawn deeply on the hard bop tradition of the 1950’s & 60’s - meditated as much through Tracey & Wellins and Ray’s Jazz Shop as it is descended from Blakey & Hancock. But Translation is no nostalgia trip: indeed it’s pointedly full of material written entirely by the band themselves. This is contemporary, fresh energetic jazz played with brio and luxuriant swing that makes it music of today even as it nods obligingly to days long gone. Although the band has gone through several changes (only Collins remains from 2004 This Is It) Howe, in his own puckish way generates both an intimacy and an energy within the band, each member has his own voice, Collins fierce ’n’ fiery, Allen intense and broody, Stanley romantic but ever in control - while Howe has that gift not only of swing, but to play oh, so quietly, making you listen to his very restraint, as he encourages his family of drums to talk together. All of which means the band can sigh together through a beauteous but melancholic ballad such as ‘Can We Whisper’ or rollick through the raucous joys of ‘Teeni’ or ‘Starting Out’ with equal aplomb. Just file under a bloody good night out.”
Andy Robson
The Guardian Friday September 1, 2006:
“Dylan Howe, the drummer with the late Ian Dury's Blockheads, has a successful pop and rock background - but, like Charlie Watts, he diverts the proceeds into an enduring love affair with jazz. Howe favours a cool and canny reappraisal of the succinctly soulful style of 1960s Blue Note hard bop, but this is a set of originals, not covers.
Recorded live at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho a year ago, the session foregrounds a strong front line featuring the flamboyant, bright-toned trumpeter Quentin Collins, and the gravelly, laid-back tenor saxophonist Brandon Allen. It gets down to business with the up-tempo swinger ‘Teeni’, a swaggering Art Blakey Messengers groove. Howe doesn't quite have Blakey's incandescence, but he knows exactly how the dynamics and drama of this idiom are supposed to work, and he proves himself to be a sophisticated composer of slow tone-poetry with evocative harmonic shifts on Can We Whisper? There's a looseness reminiscent of Miles's 1960s ensemble on the freewheeling Hello Number Seven. And some of the trumpet/sax counterpoint on Quentin Collins's Linda Bonita is more than a cut above the average hard-bop tribute band.”
John Fordham
The Independent on Sunday 27/08/06:
“Sharply dressed modal & bop from drummer Howe’s cracking quintet, with Brandon Allen on tenor sax and Quentin Collins on trumpet. The style of music has been done before, but it’s done so well on the 10 original tunes - all recorded live at Soho’s Pizza Express last year - that you’re more bothered to find out where they’re playing next. Collins’ “Linda Bonita” is a case in point: a noir-ish, mid-tempo theme owing something to Monk and Mingus in conception, plus intense trumpet and some great ensemble blowing. The ineffably right-sounding measures of Aidan O’Donnell’s double bass exemplify the groups virtues.”
Phil Johnson
The Standard CD OF THE WEEK JAZZ 01.09.06:
“Though flourishing everywhere from Italy to Finland, neo-bop remains elusive in London, where every young player seems to be mixing English folk or choral strains into the music instead of creating a good deep groove. Drummer Dylan Howe is the exception. Raised by his rock-star father Steve on a diet of Art Blakey and Philly Joe Jones, he now handles the Blue Note genre with ease. So does his handpicked group, with trumpeter Quentin Collins, pianist Ross Stanley, bassist Aidan O'Donnell and Australian tenorist Brandon Allen. All except O'Donnell contribute originals that suit the quintet's ethos, and their in-performance nightclub vibe is stimulating”
Jack Massarik ****
www.thisislondon.co.uk
The Observer Sunday 30th July 2006:
“A single live set, highly concentrated and phenomenally energetic, captures this young band at its peak. It consists of 10 originals, recorded at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club, and the style is essentially a contemporary variant of hard bop. What sets it apart is the remarkable cohesion of the whole band - the tight blend of Quentin Collins's trumpet and Brandon Allen's tenor saxophone, Howe's needle-sharp drum fills and that indefinable sense of occasion which comes when a band knows it is working at the top of its form. This, the quintet's second album, marks a distinct advance on last year's very promising debut.” Dave Gelly
“Recorded live in Soho, Volume One, as the subtitle states. Two dates were captured, and represent the quintet at the end of their autumn tour, musculature toned, and the Pizza Express atmosphere perfectly captured. These were clearly nights of exceeded energy levels, with Dylan Howe’s combo engorged by the rush of hard-bop fluids. Brash, extroverted, tough- hitting, these dudes are clearly inspired by Art Blakey, or on these shores, Tommy Chase. Sling in a shot of John Coltrane, for the sections of spiritualised stretching out, and the formula’s set. Yes, despite all of this tunes being originals, and from various combinations of the band members, the material does sound fairly similar throughout. Any harsh criticism is escaped simply because this is such an exhilarating mix.
Being a drummer leader, Howe climaxes the first two numbers with his own soloing, but then recedes from the limelight later, allowing ample space for the horns, Quentin Collins and Brandon Allen complementing each other with a harmonically and tonally pleasurable closeness. Separately, they’re equally impressive, both arcing up a scale of intense development, full of ideas and crackling with sonic magnetism (is such a concept possible?)
There is only one ballad, Volume 2 promises a devotion to standards. Anticipation is high...” Martin Longley
New thing with preview gig's in April - June. (listed above)
Will and I are playing parts of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Firebird Suite for drums and piano - here's a few excerpts:
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
January 27, 28, 29 2009
DYLAN HOWE 4
with special guest Adrian Utley
Dylan Howe - drums
Chris Hill - double bass
Tim Lapthorn - piano
Brandon Allen - tenor sax
Adrian Utley - guitar and electronics
'Dylan will be playing a selection of originals from his critically acclaimed double CD set Translation Volumes 1 and 2, as well as music from David Bowie's Berlin period and specially chosen standards. His group features three of the most highly regarded young jazz musicians in the UK and legendary Portishead guitarist and founder Adrian Utley. This promises to be three unmissable nights at the UK's finest jazz club.'
For bookings you can contact me here through the message option on the left or at:
dylan.howe@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for stopping by
DYLAN HOWE QUINTET GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUPPORT OF THE PRS FOUNDATION
and FOOTES DRUM SHOP - GOLDEN SQUARE - LONDON W1
I am proud to say that I play/use exclusively
ZILDJIAN CYMBALS & STICKS
GRETSCH DRUMS
PROTECTION RACKET CASES
AND HARDCASE CASES
Flyer/link of my recent tour in May/ June 2008:
DYLAN HOWE'S UNITY 4
A kind of Larry Young - you know the great jazz organist - heavy setlist (pre Lifetime) with Ornette tunes too group thing. Click below to see and hear a few tracks
INFO ON MY LARGER SCALE PROJECT:
DYLAN HOWE AND THE SUBTERRANEANS
LAUNCHED AT LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007
(click on flyer to go to it's own Myspace site - with tracks and pictures of the Cargo launch gig in November 2007)
DYLAN HOWE AND THE SUBTERRANEANS:
http://www.myspace.com/dylanhoweandthesubterraneans
NEW AUDIO POSTING OF THE GIG! - LISTEN HERE:
http://www.cargo-london.com/audio.php
Also - Robert Wyatt sat in with us at our Lincoln Drill Hall gig in September 2007 - He sang a few chorus' of Round Midnight - it was brilliant - a real honour - thanks Robert !
DYLAN HOWE ALBUMS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE:
AN AMAZON LINK:
TRANSLATION 2 - STANDARDS AND PREVIEWS (2007):
01. INTROSPEAK2 0.44
02. JUST IN TIME 08.54 (COMDEN/STYNE)
03. OUT OF THE NIGHT 09.38 (J. HENDERSON)
04. ANGEL EYES 07.04 (BRENT/DENNIS)
05. IMPRESSIONS - DUO 08.32 (J. COLTRANE)
06. NIGHT & DAY - solo** 03.42 (C. PORTER)
07. WARSZAWA - DEMO 1* 09.49 (BOWIE/ENO)
08. OUTROSPEAK2 01.12
DYLAN HOWE | DRUMS
ROSS STANLEY | PIANO
AIDAN O’DONNELL | DOUBLE BASS
QUENTIN COLLINS | TRUMPET
BRANDON ALLEN | TENOR SAX
With:
CHRIS HILL | DOUBLE BASS*
WILL BUTTERWORTH | PIANO**
2-4: RECORDED LIVE AT PIZZA EXPRESS JAZZ CLUB DEAN STREET SOHO LONDON
SEPTEMBER 26TH & 27TH 2005
5: RECORDED LIVE AT THE EAGLE ROCHESTER
6,7: MOTORIK MOBILE STUDIO | AUGUST | JANUARY 2006 & JUNE 2007
It got four stars in the recent edition of Jazzwise + a great review in the Yorkshire Post
YORKSHIRE POST (August 2007): above
"This is a game of two halves – a lively canter through a good bunch of standards and a thrilling take that indicates a new direction for Howe. His quintet performs well on ‘Just In Time’ and ‘Out Of The Night’, with good solos from trumpeter Quentin Collins and tenorman Brandon Allen. But the fireworks start on Warszawa, a David Bowie/Brian Eno composition. Howe’s supercharged drumming makes the group take off. Howe promises more of the same on his next CD, and if it’s this good, that’s an enticing prospect." AV
TRANSLATION - RECORDED LIVE IN SOHO - VOLUME 1 (2006)
1. IntroSpeak.
2. Teeni. (D.Howe|N.Tomalin)
3. Sly Street. (Q.Collins)
4. Can We Whisper. (D.Howe)
5. Hello Number Seven. (D.Howe | N.Tomalin)
6. S.B. (B.Allen)
7. Glad To Be S.A.D. (Q.Collins)
8. White Goods. (B.Allen)
9. Linda Bonita. (Q.Collins)
10. Starting Out. (D.Howe|D.Illet)
DYLAN HOWE | DRUMS
ROSS STANLEY | PIANO
AIDAN O’DONNELL | DOUBLE BASS
QUENTIN COLLINS | TRUMPET
BRANDON ALLEN | TENOR SAX
THIS IS IT (2004)
1. Fucshia Swing Song. (S.Rivers)
2. And What If I Don't. (H.Hancock)
3. Teeni. (D.Howe|N.Tomalin)
4. Can We Whisper. (D.Howe)
5. Beyond All Limits. (W.Shaw)
6. Duke Ellington's Sound Of Love. (C.Mingus)
7. Proper Noun. (D.Howe|P.Parnell)
8. Beatrice. ** (S.Rivers)
9. I'll Take Les.* (J.Scofield)
10. UniTune. (D.Howe)
11. Dance.** (L.Almeida|D.Howe)
DYLAN HOWE | DRUMS
FRANK HARRISON | PIANO
ANDY CROWDY | DOUBLE BASS
QUENTIN COLLINS | TRUMPET
BRIAN EDWARDS | ALTO SAX
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS:
STEVE HOWE* / JOHN ETHERIDGE* / LUIZ DE ALMEIDA** | GUITARS
BEN CASTLE** | TENOR SAX
THE WAY I HEAR IT (2003)
1. Travellin'. (J.Baggot)
2. Starting Out. (D.Howe|D.Illet)
3. Driftin'.* (H.Hancock)
4. Two Bass Hit. (J.Lewie|D.Gillespie)
5. Violets For Your Furs. (Denis|Adair)
6. Speak No Evil.* (W.Shorter)
7. Eye Of The Hurricane.* (H.Hancock)
8. You & The Night & The Music.* (Diez|Schwartz)
DYLAN HOWE | DRUMS
ANDY CROWDY | DOUBLE BASS
DENNY ILETT | GUITAR
JOHN BAGGOT / NEIL ANGILLEY* | PIANO
Hi Dylan hope all is well i know you loved my old band the toretz but my new act trouble & mischief are now up and gigging czech us out we are receiving great reviews everywhere we played i hope all is well with you guys love Tor Rubble xx
Hey Dylan, register at www.createaconcert.com for FREE to get some college concerts. We're here to help bands like you get way more grassroots exposure.
Let me know if you have any questions, I will personally respond to all myspace messages/wallposts.
4-7 of June - FINDAMORALE FESTIVAL 2009, HOXTON, LONDON.
with SUPER double bills from Paris on 5th and 6th of June featuring
1) - HADRIEN FERAUD (Bireli Lagrene, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea) and RUMEURS
2) - LINLEY MARTHE ( Joe Zawinul, Mino Cinelu, Dave Liebman, Trilok Gurtu, Richard Galliano) Project. You will have a rare chance to see these two bands on one night for the price of one!
Only at CHARLIE WRIGHT'S INTERNATIONAL (45 Pitfield Street, N1 6DA). For more info call 07918635328 or go www.myspace.com/charliewrights
Alan here.
Packing me boots, stringing me guitars and getting ready for the next two weeks. Don't be frightened to shout out any songs off the album you want to hear and don't forget the crazier you are the crazier we are.
Look forward to seeing you in the asylum at the end of the tour.
Join us in celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Slits' seminal debut album Cut with this upcoming official book about The Slits - 'Typical Girls?' You know it makes sense!
Online Now!
