George Howard (jazz)

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George Howard
George Howard, 1992
George Howard, 1992
Background information
Born(1956-09-15)September 15, 1956
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedMarch 20, 1998(1998-03-20) (aged 41)
Atlanta, Georgia
GenresSmooth jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Saxophone
Years active1970s–1998
LabelsPalo Alto, MCA, GRP

George Howard (September 15, 1956 – March 20, 1998) was an American smooth jazz saxophonist.[1]

Biography

Howard was born in

Grover Washington, Jr., who was one of his idols.[2]

In the early 1980s, Howard started his solo career, and released his first and second studio albums, Asphalt Gardens in 1982, and Steppin' Out in 1984. Both albums were well received and ranked high on the Billboard magazine jazz album charts at No. 25 and 9, respectively. The last track on Steppin' Out is called "Dream Ride", and features Howard playing soprano saxophone.[5] The track was promoted in 1984 in the United Kingdom by DJ Robbie Vincent, and is now a classic among soul and jazz enthusiasts. By 1985, his third album, Dancing in the Sun, had scaled the Billboard Jazz Album chart to No. 1. Each of his next three albums, Love Will Follow (1986), A Nice Place to Be (1986), and Reflections (1988), would also reach this height in the Jazz Album chart. After the success of Dancing in the Sun, Howard left GRP Records to join MCA Records through the 1988 release of Reflections. His next album Personal was released in 1990, which featured his biggest hit "Shower You With Love".[6][7]

However, he returned to GRP in 1990 and released Love and Understanding in 1991. It was followed by Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? (1992), When Summer Comes (1993), A Home Far Away (1994), which features the song "Grover's Groove", a tribute to Washington Jr.,

colon cancer at the age of 41 on March 20, 1998, in Atlanta.[9][6] His final album, There's a Riot Goin' On was released posthumously by Blue Note Records
two months after his death.

Howard was survived by his daughter, Jade Howard, and two sisters, Mary Howard and Doris Beverly.[9]

Discography

References

  1. AllMusic
  2. ^ a b Myers, Patricia (March 1, 1998). "George Howard: Urban Renewal". The Jazz Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  3. ^ "George Howard; Jazz Saxophonist, Multiple Grammy Nominee". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 1998. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  4. ^ Arnold, Thomas K. (May 18, 1988). "Kool and Gang, Jazz Greats on Tap". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  5. ^ George Howard - Dream Ride, archived from the original on December 13, 2021, retrieved August 8, 2021
  6. ^ a b "Deaths Elsewhere". The Washington Post. March 27, 1998. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Saxophonist George Howard Passes at 41". Fuller Up, The Dead Musicians Directory. March 22, 1998. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  8. ^ Joyce, Mike (September 30, 1994). "Howard's Tribute: Just Same Old Song". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "George Howard, 41, Jazz Saxophonist". The New York Times. April 20, 1998. Retrieved March 9, 2022.

External links

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