Performing
Jamie is a truly accomplished guitarist, composer and band leader with a vast knowledge of various styles of music.
I would highly recommend Jamie for any music project no matter the level of complexity. I feel very fortunate to know Jamie as a great musician and a great friend. Looking forward to our next music venture together.
- Fabio Iacono, drummer
I perform principally on electric guitar, but also on electric bass, double bass, classical guitar, drums and vocals. I’ve been playing live since I was a teenager and have covered many musical styles and performing situations.
Starting with rock and blues, my playing has expanded to include jazz, funk, free improvisation and experimental approaches, but the thread which runs through much of what I do is improvisation. I have played in rock bands, small jazz groups, big bands, pit orchestras, classical guitar ensembles, free improv groups, duos, solo gigs, function bands, and even as part of a large mixed ensemble playing a piece by Michael Finnissy with the composer in the audience.
As a creative musician what I am always seeking are situations where I can collaborate with other open-minded (and open-eared) people who bring the best out of me. This usually happens when a good balance is struck between being part of a whole and having individual creative freedom.
However, I love the opportunity to play in a wide variety of contexts, to be challenged and pushed outside what I’m comfortable with. For example, performing fully notated, technically challenging music is an exhilarating experience which really enables me to grow as a player.
For me, performing is about relationships - fellow instrumentalist, composers, audience members, remote collaborators - and I am always seeking out new people to be part of my musical journey.
Jamie Howell is an amazing collaborator. A sensitive, skilled, musical interpreter, and performer. Jamie is able to bring out subtleties and nuances from deep in the music, as well as being a killing technical guitarist, able to handle passages of highly technical complexity with fluency and ease.
- Sam Eastmond, composer, trumpeter, band leader (The Spike Orchestra)
Explore my bands/performing projects:
“Jamie … is not only a talented musician and my go-to person for his jazz and rock guitar playing, but also a creative thinker and adept at working to tight deadlines and coping with limited resources. Jamie is a positive influence in any group setting and a pleasure to work with”
— Graham Sims, guitarist, band leader, guitar teacher
“He is an accomplished guitarist and performer playing many styles and genres. He is also very able playing double bass depping for my jazz band on a number of occasions.”
— Chris Cooke, jazz guitar student, band leader
“Jamie is a remarkably good guitarist, moving effortlessly between styles with different ensembles.”
— Dr Rebecca Berkley, former head of Music at Reading, University of Reading