Howard Britz

New York bassist and composer Howard Britz grew up in London, England. He has performed and recorded with a diverse collection of influential musicians including; Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross, Danilo Perez, Paquito de Rivera, Sam Rivers, Julius Hemphill, Kenny Werner, Uri Caine, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Kenny Wheeler, New York Central Baptist Gospel Choir and Edsel Gomez. The breadths of his musical influences in Jazz, Latin Blues and Gospel fields can be heard in his playing and compositions.

Growing up in London, Howard immersed himself in the Jazz scene; he formed creative associations with British pianists, Jonathan Gee and Jason Rebello, saxophonist/composer Tim Garland, amongst others. As well as being a band leader and sideman Britz also played in the hugely successful show ‘Blues in the Night’ which ran for over a year in London’s West End.

Arriving in America in 1991 on a scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA Howard quickly established himself as a working musician. One of his first gigs was with Billy Pierce, the ex-Art Blakey tenor man. Transferring to The New England Conservatory of Music, Britz earned a Graduate Diploma whilst keeping up a busy performing schedule. During this time he began playing with the great latin jazz pianist Danilo Perez and other latin musicians. It was from this time on that he became facinated with the possibilities of combining Latin rhythms with Jazz.

In 1995 he overshot New York and moved to Philadelphia, PA for, as he puts it, “romantic reasons,” and found a lively and vibrant jazz scene , “I learned so much playing with the wonderful Philly’ musicians of the older and younger generations such as Mickey Rocker, Sid Simmons, Uri Caine and John Swana, and the many soulful Jazz/Blues vocalists, it was a great scene”.

Britz moved to New York in 1998. “This has been a good move for me.” “Everyone says it’s tough to be here as a musician and it’s true but, to be around some the best players in the world helps you sort out who you are and what it is that you want to do, that is my lifelong quest to keep being excited about new possibilities for my music
As a leader he has 3 CDs out under his own name ‘The Future, The Past’ & ‘Made in Brooklyn,’ and Here I Stand.My goal is to be a contemporary player conversant with what’s going on now but always in touch with the roots of Jazz, Latin music i.e. it’s really important to groove and for things to feel good. That applies to my composing too.
PRESS FOR 'HOWARD BRITZ, NEW YORK TO LONDON EXPRESS UK TOUR 2008
U.S. and U.K. jazz musicians raised the roof at The Y last night, in a gig featuring mainly original compositions by bass-player Howard Britz…. the rhythm section were awesome…….. Britz' beautiful tone on the double-bass shone. "Martha's Song" underlined what a fine composer Britz is, to enthusiastic approval.
Chris Beggs, Leicester Mercury
THE New York to London Express steamed into Arnold last night driven by ex-pat New York bass player Howard Britz and top UK jazz pianist Jonathan Gee. And how these two musicians drove this fabulous transatlantic quintet; the whole group pivoted around Britz’s huge bass sound and Gee’s amazing wizardry at the piano…….. The quintet’s program abounded with originals by Britz, which included intoxicating themes and moving ballads……. For the whole evening Howard was a marvellous communicator
Nottingham Evening Post, Trudie Squires
PRESS FOR 'HERE I STAND' TEE ZEE 2008
"...a first rate swinger with considerable soloistic skills," JAZZ TIMES March 2008, Bill Milkoswki
"......make no mistake, this music jumps out of the speakers, commands attention, and is well worth repeated listenings"
ALL MUSIC GUIDE, Michael G. Nastos
"Howard Britz’s ‘Here I Stand’ raises the bar from both compositional and bass-playing perspectives" EJAZZ NEWS Review by John Stevenson
“Here I Stand” is a burner of an album and one you will play often. With superlative charts that capture nice melodies and harmonies" EJAZZ NEWS, Edward Blanco
" His knack for getting into the groove whenever possible, and by doing this being the focal point while allowing his musicians to live and breathe in the music, is a testament to what he is as a musician and artist" John Book (The Run-off-Groove)
Howard Britz/Jonathan Gee New York to London Express 'Lucky Friday the 13th' (Britz) Live in Brighton UK, Sept. 2008 Howard Britz (bass) Jonathan Gee (piano) Will Vinson (alto) Quentin Collins (tpt) Sylvia Cuenca (drums)
Howard Britz/Jonathan Gee New York to London Express 'PAVANNE' (Britz) Live in Brighton UK, Sept. 2008 Howard Britz (bass) Jonathan Gee (piano) Will Vinson (alto) Quentin Collins (tpt) Sylvia Cuenca (drums)