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Line up:
Howard Alden – Guitar
Anat Cohen – Clarinet, sax
It seems that the only thing regarding Howard Alden on which the critics have a debate is whether the remarkable jazz guitarist is one of the best or simply the best.
At Djangofest Northwest you’ll be the judge.
Howard Alden, guitarist extraordinare and the sound behind the Django Reinhardt-inspired character Emmet Ray in Woody Allen’s movie “Sweet and Low Down” will once again perform at Djangofest, this year Saturday afternoon with the fantastic upcoming young clarinet and sax player, Anat Cohen. (Also see Cohen’s bio on the musicians page)
An accomplished guitarist in many jazz genres, Alden’s special interest in Gypsy Jazz and Django Reinhardt was highlighted this year with the release of his highly original and swinging CD called I Remember Django. Anat Cohen is one of the guest musicians on the CD, and together they will showcase their well-sharpened chops during their matinee set.
Born in Newport Beach, California, in 1958, Howard began playing at age ten, inspired by recordings of Armstrong, Basie and Goodman, as well as those by guitarists Barney Kessel, Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt and George Van Eps. Soon he was working professionally around Los Angeles playing in groups ranging from traditional to mainstream to modern jazz. In 1979, Alden went east, for a summer in Atlantic City with Red Norvo, and continued to perform with him frequently for several years.
Upon moving to New York City in 1982, Alden's skills, both as soloist and accompanist, were quickly recognized and sought-out for appearances and recordings with such artists as Joe Bushkin, Ruby Braff, Joe Williams, Warren Vache` and Woody Herman.
He has continued to win accolades from critics and musicians alike, adding Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Mel Powell, Bud Freeman, Kenny Davern, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie and George Van Eps, as well as notable contemporaries such as Scott Hamilton and Ken Peplowski to his list of impressive credits.
Howard Alden has been a Concord Jazz recording artist since the late '80s where his prolific recorded output as leader, co-leader, and versatile sideman, has captured an artist of consistently astonishing virtuosity and originality.
One of the many highlights in Howard Alden's fruitful association with Concord Jazz came in 1991 when, at the urging of Concord President, Carl Jefferson, Alden recorded with one of his all-time heroes, seven-string guitar master George Van Eps.
This will be Alden’s seventh engagement at Djangofest Northwest. In the past he has performed here with the Howard Alden Gypsy Project, guitarist Robin Nolan, trumpeter Bria Skonberg and jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli.
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