Darnell Howard

A skilled soloist who sometimes displayed a hyper style on clarinet in later years that was also influenced by the smoother Jimmie Noone, Darnell Howard had a long career. Both of his parents were musicians. Howard started on violin when he was seven, adding clarinet and reeds later on. He started playing professionally in 1912 while still in high school. Howard played with John H. Wickcliffe's Ginger Orchestra during 1913-1916 and then in 1917 went to New York, working and recording with W.C. Handy (on violin). Howard then led a band in Chicago, gigged with Charlie Elgar (1921), was part of James P. Johnson's Plantation Days Band that visited London in 1923, and made a return trip to Europe the following year with the Singing Syncopators. In Chicago, Howard played with Carroll Dickerson, Dave Peyton, and most notably King Oliver's Dixie Syncopators. After a visit to Shanghai with the New York Singing Syncopators, Howard rejoined Oliver and soon was playing with both Erskine Tate and Carroll Dickerson. 1928 was spent with Jimmy Wade's Dixielanders and leading his own quartet. Howard worked with Dave Peyton during 1929-1930, had a brief stint with Jerome Carrington and then was a steady fixture with the Earl Hines big band during 1931-1937. He freelanced for a few years and spent short periods with Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra and Coleman Hawkins (1941). Howard led his own band in Chicago during 1943-1945, was with Kid Ory in California during part of 1945, and then freelanced in Chicago for a few years including playing with Doc Evans. In 1948 he moved to California to join Muggsy Spanier's group, staying five years. After stints with Bob Scobey and Jimmy Archey, Howard was part of Earl Hines' Dixieland band in San Francisco during 1955-1962; during 1956-1957 he recorded a couple of excellent albums with Don Ewell. Illness caused him to leave Hines although he recovered for a time, working with Elmer Snowden and Burt Bales, plus his own groups. After touring Europe with the New Orleans All-Stars in early 1966, Howard became ill in the United States and died a few months later. He only led one recording date, resulting in four selections for Good Time Jazz in 1950 in which he fronted Bob Scobey's band.