Christian Howes

Releases:

Southern Exposure
CD: $14.98

Out of the Blue
CD: $14.98

Heartfelt
CD: $14.98

Throughout his life and career, Christian Howes has thrived on venturing outside of his comfort zone. He’s taken the violin into the relatively unexplored territory of modern jazz, combining classical training with soulful expressiveness; he’s emerged from hardships and challenges with an ever-stronger, more individual voice; and he’s been on the vanguard of digital-age entrepreneurship with his online classes and virtual string orchestra.

On his third release for Resonance Records, Southern Exposure, Howes takes another unexpected turn, this time into the realm of Latin music, exploring a diverse range of repertoire from Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, and Spain. His chief companion for the journey is French accordion master Richard Galliano; both are buoyed by the smoking New York rhythm section of pianist Josh Nelson, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Lewis Nash.

Howes called the opportunity to collaborate with Galliano inspiring, saying, “Richard's musicianship in the studio compelled me to rise to a high level of expression. His playing is full of maturity and virtuosity.” Working with a jazz rhythm section rather than more Latin-oriented players brought an unique, hybrid feel to the session that Howes felt energized both him and Galliano.

"We certainly play up aspects of these Latin musical traditions on the CD, but there's also a sense of searching for something new to bring to the music," Howes says. "There's a combination of modern jazz risk taking mixed with a virtuosic classical approach when called for." Read more.

Christian Howes, violin
Richard Galliano, accordion
Josh Nelson, piano
Scott Colley, bass
Lewis Nash, drums