New York actress and jazz and blues singer Eileen Howard returns to Columbus and The Green Room with her popular sassy Blues show for a CD release party. Her live album, “Blues in the Green Room”, being released at this event, was recorded last spring at The Garden Theater at her sold out show. She is joined by musicians Chris Ciampa, Ed Moed on piano, David Bennett, The Governor on drums and Randy Mather on saxophone.
For over 20 years Eileen Howard’s performances on stage and with R&B, blues and jazz groups have delighted audiences in Chicago, Ohio, New York, Paris, Sydney, and Rome. In addition to being an award winning and critically acclaimed actress, she is versatile vocalist, composer and recording artist with styles ranging from belt to jazz to Latin to rock to blues to R&B.
Mentored by veterans Clifford Murphy and Claude Brown, she cut her teeth on jazz by sitting-in at Murphy’s Jazz Club and studying with Maryanne Russo, a prominent jazz vocalist and former singer with the Nelson Riddell Orchestra. After her day job moved her to Columbus, Ohio, she began performing in Central Ohio theaters. and in clubs and music festivals with big bands, combos and her own jazz trio, including performances at the Columbus Jazz and Ribs Festival and Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival.
Her first CD, All Kinds of Weather was released in January of 2002 and was featured on 103.5-104.3 Smooth Jazz Radio, where DJ “Fritz the Night Owl” described her as having “A terrific voice, fresh interpretations of well-known lyrics, and solid jazz sensibilities” . Her second CD, Street of Dreams was extremely well received with positive reviews and strong sales. It features three of her early forays into song writing. L.A. Jazz Review called her “a singer well worth discovering”. In his album review in The Short North Gazette, Fritz dubbed her “One of the most creative and swingin’ singers ever to vocalize on the local jazz scene.” In 2010 Eileen expanded her original songwriting with the release of her album “MakeOver” – all original compositions in a spiritual vein.
Eileen Howard, Blues in Green CD Release Show
February 1st and 2nd, 8pm
The Short North Stage
Tickets $12 online or $15 at the door