Richard Howell's Sudden Changes
Saxophonist Richard Howell brings his expansive concept of "Bridge Music" to Mr. Tipple's with a stellar ensemble he calls Sudden Changes. Howell defines his music as celebrating diversity while uniting listeners across genres — a philosophy that comes through in his spirited blend of contemporary jazz with elements of funk, soul, and world music.
With decades of experience recording and performing with legends like Etta James, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, and Maurice White, Howell has developed a powerful, melodic tenor saxophone style rooted in the old-school tradition of Stanley Turrentine and Gene Ammons. His "Bridge Music" draws from his extensive collaborations with artists spanning jazz, blues, R&B, and world music, including work with Charlie Haden, Don Cherry, Cecil Taylor, and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah.
Sudden Changes features an impressive lineup of Bay Area veterans. Multi-platinum keyboardist Frank Martin has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, John McLaughlin, and Herbie Hancock. Bassist Fred Randolph brings compositional depth and versatility from his Hawaii roots and master's in composition. Drummer Miles Turk comes from San Francisco's jazz community, having studied at Oakland School for the Arts and SFJAZZ. Percussionist Adrian Areas, son of Santana founding member Jose Chepito Areas, adds Latin rhythmic fire with his mastery of timbales, congas, and bongos honed through work with Tito Puente and Santana. Alto saxophonist Jesse Levitt completes the ensemble with his contemporary jazz sensibility.
As an educator with JazzTree Education and Oaktown Jazz Workshops, Howell brings both technical mastery and deep musical storytelling to his performances. KQED described him as "a secret weapon of the Bay Area music scene" and "an under-the-radar force as a producer, arranger and educator," while Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah has called him "like a Jedi master" with "this ability to focus them in a way that's really cool."
Howell recently released the album "Our Purpose" featuring his Joy Protocol Ensemble, showcasing his continued evolution as both a musical bridge-builder and an artist committed to what he calls "mandating happiness" through groove-based healing.