Dylan Howe
| Dylan Howe | |
|---|---|
 Howe live in May 2007 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dylan Lee Howe |
| Born | August 4, 1969 |
| Origin | London |
| Genres | Jazz, contemporary |
| Occupations | Bandleader, composer and session musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Associated acts | The Blockheads, Steve Howe |
| Website | MySpace site |
Dylan Lee Howe (born August 4, 1969 in England) is a jazz drummer, bandleader, session musician and composer.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Howe grew up in Hampstead, London, and is the eldest son of Yes guitarist Steve Howe. Named after Dylan Thomas, the Yes song Clap was written for him by his father.
Howe attended King Alfred School from 1975 to 1986. He began drumming at the age of 10, and although he briefly studied with Bob Armstrong, Bill Bruford, and Jonathan Mover; he is primarily self-taught. During this time, Howe spent a year living with his family in Montreux, Switzerland, for the recording of Yes's Going for the One album. It was during this time he first attended the Montreux Jazz Festival.
When Howe was 13, his parents took him to see Buddy Rich and his big band at Ronnie Scott's club – he cites this as the moment when he knew that he wanted to become a jazz drummer.
Throughout his teens, Howe played in various groups in North London. His first gigs were at King Alfred School (1981) and University College School (1982). The groups' repertoires mainly consisted of covers of The Clash, David Bowie, Bauhaus and U2 songs, supplemented with original material. Dylan left King Alfred School with three O-level passes in 1986. He worked as a window cleaner and sales assistant in various shops (for Katherine Hamnett and others) until 1988 when he started working as a professional musician.
Howe married Zoe Street in November 2006.
[edit] Career
In 1989, Howe ran nights at (now-defunct) jazz club The Shack on Tisbury Court, Soho and started playing regularly at West End jam session/house band club nights at venues including The Limelight. It was around this time that he joined flautist Philip Bent's group.
In 1996, Howe joined the house band for the Channel 4 light entertainment series Light Lunch and its subsequent spin-off Late Lunch, presented by comediennes Mel and Sue.
[edit] The Blockheads
Howe joined Ian Dury and the Blockheads in 1997 and – following Dury's death in 2000 – has continued playing in The Blockheads; appearing on the Ten More Turnips from the Tip album.
[edit] Steve Howe
Howe has worked on several projects with his father Steve, drumming on a number of his solo albums. Steve, Dylan and his brother Virgil Howe were in Steve Howe's Remedy band in a 2004 European tour. The Steve Howe Trio was formed in 2007 with Steve, Dylan and Ross Stanley on Hammond organ. They toured the UK in May 2007 and June 2008 to promote their debut album The Haunted Melody.
[edit] Wilko Johnson
Howe has replaced Steve Monti as drummer in the Wilko Johnson Band, with Johnson on guitar and vocals, and Norman Watt-Roy on bass.
[edit] As bandleader
[edit] Dylan Howe Quintet
Howe formed his jazz quintet in 2003 and has released four solo albums:
- The Way I Hear It (2003)
- This Is It (2004)
- Translation - Recorded Live In Soho - Volume 1 (2006)
- Translation - Volume 2 - Standards (2007)
The quintet has had a changing membership, but has primarily consisted of Howe, Quentin Collins (trumpet), Brandon Allen (tenor sax), Ross Stanley (piano) and Chris Hill (double bass). Jazz fusion musician Robert Wyatt has previously provided vocals to live performances. This Is It featured as The Guardian's single of the week in November 2004,[1] and The Observer commented on Howe's "needle-sharp" drum fills on the live Translation album.[2]
In November 2007, howe disbanded the quintet to focus on alternative projects, including Dylan Howe's Unity 4.
[edit] The Subterreanans
Howe began Dylan Howe and the Subterreanans in 2007, playing the music of David Bowie's Low and Heroes. Dubbed a "future jazz sextet with strings and electronics", they launched with a live show and a preview release of one piece on Translation - Volume 2.
[edit] Session work
Howe has played on over 60 albums, including work with producers Trevor Horn, Nigel Godrich and Guy Chambers.
Howe has contributed to many movie soundtracks, including Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, I Am Sam and Confetti.
Howe's session and live work has included Paul McCartney, Ray Davies, Tom Jones and Gabrielle.
[edit] References
- ^ Gelly, Dave (14 November 2004). "Culture - Music - Jazz CD of the week - Dylan Howe, This is it". The Observer. Guardian Online. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2004/nov/14/jazz1. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
- ^ Gelly, Dave (30 July 2006). "Culture - Music - Other pop releases". The Observer. Guardian Online. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2006/jul/30/popandrock.tompetty. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
