George Howard
Keeping The Rhythm In The Desert
By Travis Kelly
Behind the rhythm and back beat of any musical genre lies the drummer, the
man responsible for holding everyone together. Here in Tucson, for more than
35 years, local ears have been gifted with a skillful percussionist - George
Howard.
Howard is rooted deeply in the Blues, Jazz, Motown, Cajun, and even Gospel. “My mom was a very religious person,” says Howard. George was turned on to the blues at a very young age from a friend who belonged to a music club. The greats like Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Rodgers quickly became staples in George’s record collection.
George has had many highlights in his 35 years of performing. “The highlight of my career, I’d have to say was when I was touring with some of the blues greats,” he remembers. “They became not only my friends but great mentors for me.” The list of the musicians he has toured with is a “who’s who” in the world of blues. The guys of yesterday like John Lee Hooker and Albert Collins. George also played with the legendary Bo Diddley and young guitarist Johnny Lang.
“Playing with those people really kind of heightened my awareness - that made it real special for me.”
Today, along with his passion for music, George is behind one of Tucson’s biggest projects. It is a project that will preserve and promote Tucson’s music of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The Tucson Musicians Museum will call home the Rialto Theatre, funded in its entirety by private donors.
“We have got a five year plan. We got a big gala Sunday, November 11th, and I am commemorating older local musicians that have been here, let’s say in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The purpose is to keep these musicians together and provide places for them to play and let others know they are still around. We are still able to play here as a collective artistic fraternity. Just to make sure people know who they are and they are not forgotten,” says Howard.
They are even putting together a mentorship for the young musicians here in town. He says, “A mentorship program where they can take lessons from various teachers, we will pay for these kids to get educated the right way in music. Also, for the younger kids who aren’t used to playing in front of people, we will set up a concert at an elderly home, hoping to heal people through music.”
George and his bands have given Tucson a taste of Cajun Zydeco, the Blues, Jazz, and Motown. On most Fridays you can hear George and his friend, pianist Arthur Migliazza playing as a duo at the Blue Fin in Casas Adobes Plaza (Oracle and Ina). He says, “I have kind of gone back to the old turn of the century style playing and back then it was mainly a guitar and a guy on a cardboard box or bucket with sticks. Then when it got to be drums it was mainly a big bass drum and a snare with brushes.” George refers to it as going back to school. “I really like that authentic sound. When you have one drum you have to be creative on that.”
If you are looking to have some fun and groove to the songs you know by heart, then be sure to catch the Rhythm and Blues Soul Revue on most Saturday nights at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. “People of all ages come out and listen and dance. We do Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Etta James - you know all the classics. We have a great time playing,” George says.
The rhythm of local music lies in George Howard and the things he does to preserve the Tucson music scene.
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
