Ollie Howell at 606 Club

Ollie Howell is a multi-award winning drummer, composer and bandleader. Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2011, Ollie has rapidly established himself as an impressive musician, not only performing with various UK and international players but also working regularly with his impressive quintet for which he composes as well as leads. It is a measure of Ollie’s talent that since 2009 he has been mentored by one of the international music scene’s most prestigious figures, Quincy Jones (Michael Jackson), who said of Ollie, “He’s so creative I couldn’t believe it... [he] has what it takes to make a life out of music”. A former recipient of the prestigious Peter Whittingham Development Award, Ollie released his critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Sutures and Stitches’ on Whirlwind Records in 2013. The music that Ollie wrote to be performed on that album has a fascinating and unique history: in 2009 Ollie was diagnosed with a brain malformation called Arnold Chiari Type 2, which meant that since that time he has had to have numerous neurosurgical operations. All of the music on the album, some of which was written from his hospital bed, as he says “was composed during and influenced by this incredible journey that I went through during this defining point in my life”. In 2014 he was awarded a Sky Academy Arts Scholarship, becoming the first ever jazz musician to receive this accolade, which led to the recording of his latest album "Self Identity". That CD will be released later this year, material from which he will be performing with the band this evening. Recently featured in a Sky Arts special, where he was interviewed by Melvyn Bragg and filmed at the 606, Ollie's work around the UK and Europe as well as appearances at prestigious festivals such as Love Supreme have undoubtedly established him as the musician to watch. Joining Ollie tonight will be amongst the most talented of the new generation of UK musicians, Duncan Eagles-sax, Henry Spencer-trumpet, Ant Law-guitar, Tom Millar-piano and Max Luthert-bass....

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Ollie Howell is a multi-award winning drummer, composer and bandleader. Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2011, Ollie has rapidly established himself as an impressive musician, not only performing with various UK and international players but also working regularly with his impressive quintet for which he composes as well as leads. It is a measure of Ollie’s talent that since 2009 he has been mentored by one of the international music scene’s most prestigious figures, Quincy Jones (Michael Jackson), who said of Ollie, “He’s so creative I couldn’t believe it... [he] has what it takes to make a life out of music”. A former recipient of the prestigious Peter Whittingham Development Award, Ollie released his critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Sutures and Stitches’ on Whirlwind Records in 2013. The music that Ollie wrote to be performed on that album has a fascinating and unique history: in 2009 Ollie was diagnosed with a brain malformation called Arnold Chiari Type 2, which meant that since that time he has had to have numerous neurosurgical operations. All of the music on the album, some of which was written from his hospital bed, as he says “was composed during and influenced by this incredible journey that I went through during this defining point in my life”. In 2014 he was awarded a Sky Academy Arts Scholarship, becoming the first ever jazz musician to receive this accolade, which led to the recording of his latest album "Self Identity". That CD will be released later this year, material from which he will be performing with the band this evening. Recently featured in a Sky Arts special, where he was interviewed by Melvyn Bragg and filmed at the 606, Ollie's work around the UK and Europe as well as appearances at prestigious festivals such as Love Supreme have undoubtedly established him as the musician to watch. Joining Ollie tonight will be amongst the most talented of the new generation of UK musicians, Duncan Eagles-sax, Henry Spencer-trumpet, Ant Law-guitar, Tom Millar-piano and Max Luthert-bass.

“clever postbop compositions…[showing] idiomatic versatility…highlight...Howell's melodic talents….a fine debut” Guardian;
“Impressive” Financial Times

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