| Gwen Howard began her professional career as a jazz vocalist in the mid 1980s after having the good fortune of meeting two extraordinary musicians, Del Atkins and Herman Jackson, who would later prove to be primarily responsible for her altering her chosen career path from business/finance to music/entertainment.
Like most jazz artists, Gwen was an active participant in the school and church choir. She was also an active member of the band and orchestra during her formative years. Her instrument of choice was the flute. As a soloist and lead singer Gwen was a member of the Jr. Gospel Jubilee, a distinguished gospel choir who performed at numerous churches and for various organizations throughout the Los Angeles area. She happens to be a native of Los Angeles, California.
Gwen's father was a jazz aficionado and he introduced her to the legendary "Ladies of Jazz" at a very young age and this is when her passion for singing jazz music was awakened and began to develop. She was greatly influenced by listening to the recordings of Dinah Washington, Lena Horn, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. She also has been deeply influenced by recording artists Lou Rawls, Joe Williams, Billy Eckstine, Ernie Andrews and the late renowned singer, The Mr. O.C. Smith (Little Green Apples) of whom she knew personally and was her mentor.
In the beginning of Gwen's music career she followed the normal protocol of most new artists and began singing at various night clubs which held an open microphone night and talent contest of which she usually came in first place. She then found herself being invited to sing for weddings, charitable/community events and to provide entertainment for corporate and social affairs. Gwen has been entertaining audiences for well over two decades. She has appeared on the BET Jazz Discovery program and has been a guest performer on local community television cable stations as well as local radio programs. She has been invited to speak at local high schools to address those students whose ambitions and desires are to enter into the music business as performing artists in the future.
Ms. Howard later formed her own production company, GH Productions, and began producing an annual dinner affair entitled "An Elegant Evening of Jazz." This affair proved to be widely appreciated and anticipated by her fans and needless to say it is a sold-out event each year. She has appeared center court with her band and along with the talented ventriloquist Aaron Williams (Aaron & Freddie) and actor/singer Lee Duncan to name a few.
Ms. Howard's debut CD on G-Song Records is titled "Bathe Me In Candlelight" and is produced by Del Atkins and Herman Jackson. This recording proves to be an impressive display of her vocal talent as well as a substantial reflection of her deep passion for jazz. From classic to contemporary, Ms. Howard is a jazz vocal masterpiece in the true spirit of the art form itself. Her sensuous sultry voice is coupled with a unique sense of phrasing and scatting that she delivers in her own sophisticated style. Perhaps jazzy smooth may be the best description of Gwen Howard's vocal delivery and for certain her unique gift is artistically displayed as she delivers melodies and lyrics from deep within her soul.
"Bathe Me In Candlelight" will certainly pull at your heart string while putting some pizzazz~in~your~jazz. It will definitely cause the listener to pause and take notice. When the lights are dimmed and the candles are lit . . . all you need is the music of Gwen Howard to further enhance the moment.
This Lady of Song is certainly on the rise!
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