Big Ears

Born and dwells in Philadelphia and Hiroshima for a few weeks out of the year. Son of saxophonist Bob Howell. Started on basic basic piano at 7, never quite getting it together on keys, switched to electric bass at 13, upright at 16. Attended the Creative and Performing Arts High School, Governor's School for the Arts, and University of the Arts for a year. Studied electric bass with Conrad Korsch (Rod Stewart, Debbi Gibson, etc) from 16 to 17. Studied "avant garde musical concepts" with legendary teacher Dennis Sandole (John Coltrane, Pat Martino, etc) from 17 to 18, taking a break for a year, then coming back for another year at 20. In 2006, started taking upright bass seriously and currently devoting most free time to learn the instrument and make up for lost education and time. Along with working various gigs around the Philadelphia area, clubs in NYC, and some touring around US, Brian has played with Steve Giordano's Spacetet for 9 years, and is on the last 5 cd's of Steve's. He is currently a part of the Victor North quartet with Wynton alumn Farrid Barron on piano and fellow high school classmate Wayne Smith on drums. He appears regularly on rotation at Ortlieb's with Sid Simmons and Byron Landham on piano and drums. He has shared the stage or recorded with Jim Ridl, Logan Richardson, Hannibal Lokumbe, Ray Anderson, Terrell Stafford, John Swana, Duane Eubanks, Orrin Evans, Jimmy Bruno, Chris Farr, Mike Mainieri, Nate Birkey, Adam Unsworth, Ron Thomas, Jennifer Lopez, and others in the jazz and rock scene.