Howard Alden Trio

Howard Alden- Guitar
Randy Napoleon- Guitar
Reuben Stump- Bass

Howard Alden is widely considered by critics to be one of the premier jazz guitarists of his generation, recognized for his "astonishing virtuosity and originality". Born in Newport Beach, California, in 1958, he began playing at age ten and was influenced by masters such as Barney Kessel, Charlie Christian, and Django Reinhardt. After playing professionally in Los Angeles, he moved to New York City in 1982, where he quickly became a sought-after soloist and accompanist for legendary artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, and Benny Carter.

A defining aspect of Alden's career is his mastery of the seven-string guitar, which he began playing in 1992 following an inspirational collaboration with his hero, George Van Eps. This instrument allows him a greater harmonic richness and range, showcased across numerous recordings for the Concord Jazz label.

Alden's influence extends into popular culture and diverse musical genres:
• Film: He played all the guitar solos and coached actor Sean Penn for the 1999 Woody Allen film Sweet and Lowdown.
• Directing: In 2004, he served as the musical director for the 50th-anniversary tour of the Newport Jazz Festival.
• Collaborations: He has performed with a wide array of musicians, ranging from violinists Mark O’Connor and Nigel Kennedy to rock icon Steve Miller.

His technical skill has earned him high praise from peers across genres, with country legend Vince Gill calling him "the real deal" and fingerstyle virtuoso Leo Kottke describing one of his albums as "the best recording of the seven-string guitar I've ever heard"