Virtuoso violinist, composer, producer & DownBeat Critics' Poll winner brings spirituals, classic blues, familiar Americana, classical expressions and more from his all-new album on Resonance Records, "American Spirit," in return to BLU!
Violinist Christian Howes is one artist whose upward trajectory has been tangible, full of great heart and vigor, laced with an obvious curiosity for ground both less and well-traveled, with an eye always towards reinvigorating the latter. This newest recording [“American Spirit”] finds he and his cohorts breathing fresh air into the tried and true, from spirituals to classic blues to two slices of pop culture to familiar Americana and classical expressions, in a program of eight standards leavened with three of his originals.
Howes’ progression, which from his early youthful enthusiasm, with a wild blond mane that in full throttle performance bore a whirling dervish quality, has blossomed into a veteran’s assuredness. On the violin there’s now a sense of grace that serves this music marvelously and more substantively than the seemingly reckless, no holds barred abandon of his youth. There is a sophisticated élan in his playing that speaks to acquired wisdom and taste. Christian Howes’ development has been delightful to behold, especially for we Ohioans who recall the callow youth from Columbus.
“The opportunity to create “American Spirit” comes at a turning point in my career and life,” says Howes. “At 43, as my daughter goes to college and my son starts kindergarten, I find myself looking at the world in a new way. Less focused on climbing the career ladder, I’m rather more aware of my ability to influence others and the desire to stand for something larger than myself,” he confirms. The sense of progression one derives from “American Spirit” and the overall development of his artistry, as player, composer, and arranger – are roles he fulfills successfully with this record.
Another key is his bandleader’s astuteness in engaging musicians who properly enhance this program of music he has carefully selected to represent the “American Spirit” theme. Fundamental to this success is his engagement of a complementary rhythm section. “The piano chair in my band is a tough one to fill,” he suggests, “because I’m picky about how I want to be supported by the piano.”
The title track is one of three Christian Howes originals, broadened by the dark roasted tone of the Octave Geiger hybrid instrument, pitched an octave lower than violin, a range between viola and cello. “It enables me to cover the viola and cello range in my one man string sections,” an atmosphere he very subtlety lends to several of these pieces, a further sign of his maturity in service to the music on what is decidedly not a blowing date.
The opener, one of Leonard Bernstein’s signature songs from West Side Story, elicits richly evocative violin work, including the leader’s quote from “Maria”. Lest one so completely immerse oneself in these fertile arrangements (including four from the pen of pianist Tamir Handelman) and the successful cohort interplay of this date, Howes closes the proceedings with a “Postlude,” substantiating his prodigious playing in solo. “A solo piece is imperative to my personal artistic identity,” he verifies, “it tells my story”. “It uses jazz scales and progressions, although it clearly incorporates elements of classical tradition. The connection to the classical world is very important in order to create a “bridge” whereby non-jazz listeners will connect to the rest of the material on the album.”
There is much to appreciate about this date, from its captivating arrangements to Howes and company’s virtuosic playing, to its sense of true Americana. Interestingly the idea behind this theme stemmed from Howes’ State Department-sponsored residencies abroad. “Working with the State Department, as well as traveling around the world for many years has inspired me to think about what it is to feel pride in being American,” Howes asserts. “Growing up in the 80s, American pride was framed in relation to events specific to that time and I feel like today I can reexamine the concept of “American Spirit” and define it for myself on fresh terms.” Clearly “American Spirit” is the work of an artist who has grown exponentially yet remains on an upward arc, as evidenced by his most successful recording to date. Drop this one in the player and you be the judge. As Howes succinctly declares, “Jazz is quintessentially American, and art, including music, has a way of clarifying what words sometimes cannot,” as you are about to discover in “American Spirit.”
– from “American Spirit” liner notes by Willard Jenkins
Don’t miss your chance to hear this captivating artist in a very special one-night-only return to BLU, get your tickets today!