Wikipedia

Greg Howe

Not to be confused withGregg Howe.

Gregory Howe(born December 8, 1963)[1]is an American guitarist and composer. An active musician across four decades, he has released ten studio albums in addition to collaborating with a wide variety of artists.[2]

Greg Howe
Howe performing in Weert, 2011
Howe performing inWeert,2011
Background information
Birth nameGregory Howe
Born(1963-12-08)December 8, 1963(age 61)
New York City,New York,U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • composer
  • producer
  • guitar instructor
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1982–present
Labels
WebsiteOfficial websiteEdit this at Wikidata

Recording career

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Solo

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After leaving high school and playing theclubcircuit around theNew Jersey,New YorkandPennsylvaniaareas with his brother Albert Howe (a singer) for most of the 1980s, Greg Howe officially began his solo career after sending ademo tapetoShrapnel Recordsin 1987, upon which he was immediately signed by founderMike Varney.[3]His self-titled debut album,Greg Howe,was released in 1988 during the popularshredera, and went on to become his highest-selling album;[1]a 2009 article inGuitar Worldmagazine ranked it tenth in the all-time top ten list of shred albums.[4]

The following year, he joined with Albert to form aVan Halen-inspiredhard rockgroup named Howe II.[5][6]Through Shrapnel, they released two studio albums:High Gear(1989) andNow Hear This(1991).[7]His second solo album,Introspection,was released in 1993. At this point his style had changed radically from the straightforwardinstrumental rockof both his debut and the Howe II albums, to a morejazz fusion-laden approach[8][9]which remains unique and identifiable to this day; some of his signature traits being fast left-handlegatopassages (having been influenced greatly by jazz fusion guitaristAllan Holdsworth),[10]and the frequent use oftappingand oddtime signatures.One particularly noteworthy aspect of Howe's legato technique is the "hammer-onfrom nowhere ", in which a note is hammered-on to a different string without first beingpicked.[11]

A trio of albums spanning the middle part of the decade –Uncertain Terms(1994),Parallax(1995) andFive(1996) – were all a consistent evolution of the sound he had adopted onIntrospection.During this time he collaborated twice with guitaristRichie Kotzenfor the albumsTiltandProjectin 1995 and 1997, respectively.[1]He then briefly dabbled with aheavier,neo-classical metalstyle for his 1999 release,Ascend,which featured keyboardistVitalij Kuprij.Howe has since spoken of his dissatisfaction for that project, as well as an earlier collaboration on Kuprij's own album,High Definition(1997).[1]

After switching labels to Shrapnel's jazz-oriented counterpart,Tone Center Records,he returned to his familiar style withHyperacuity(2000), which still stands as some of his most prominent experimentation with jazz fusion. After a highly troubled recording process forExtraction(2003) – a collaboration with drummerDennis Chambersand bassistVictor Wooten[12][13]– he took an extended hiatus from recording solo material until the release of his eighth studio album,Sound Proof,in 2008. It would be another nine years until Howe's next solo release,Wheelhouse,in 2017, which has been described as his "most personal work to date" and marks his return to solo instrumental work.[14]For one track of the album, "Shady Lane", Richie Kotzen provided vocals.[15]

In a 2015 article byGuitar World,Howe was ranked tenth in the "Top 10 Pick Squealers of All Time".[16]In December 2019,Guitar Worldranked Howe's "Wheelhouse" album #6 in "The 20 best guitar albums of the decade".[17]

Maragold

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In 2012 it was announced that Howe would play in a new band named Maragold,[3][18]which would include drummer Gianluca Palmieri (who previously played onSound Proof), bassist Kevin Vecchione (fromFive), and singer Meghan Krauss. A promotional video was uploaded toYouTubeon October 6, 2012,[19]and the band's self-titled album was released on April 23, 2013.[20]They would also release three official music videos via YouTube.[21]In a 2016 interview, Howe said that the band was no longer active.[22]

Session and touring career

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Currently residing inLas Vegas,Nevada (having previously lived inEaston, Pennsylvaniauntil around 2006),[23]Howe continues to work as asession musicianand producer, as well as providing online guitar lessons through his official website.[24]From 2010 onwards he has toured Europe for the first time, having long stated a desire to tour the continent as a solo artist.

During his solo career, Howe has continuously made himself available as a session musician for many of the world's biggest pop stars. Most recently he has played with artists such asChristina Aguilera,Rihanna,Lady Antebellum,P Diddy,T-PainandSalt-n-Pepa.In 1996, he replacedJennifer Battenas primary guitarist during the Asian and European legs of singerMichael Jackson'sHIStory World Tour.He would later provide guitar duties for singerEnrique Iglesiasin 2000, which culminated in a series of high-profile televised performances and a European tour. The following two years saw Howe recruited as lead guitarist for boy band'N Syncduring two tours of the United States. After singerJustin Timberlakeleft 'N Sync, Howe continued to tour with him in 2003.

Eight years later, Howe teamed up again with Timberlake, as well as rapperT.I.,for a performance at the2009 Grammy Awards.[25]In the same year, Howe played as part of keyboardist/violinistEddie Jobson's Ultimate Zero Project, in a line-up which included bassistsTony LevinandJohn Wetton,and drummersMarco MinnemannandSimon Phillips.[26]In 2011, Howe toured Vladivostok, Italy and Israel with drummerDennis Chambersand bassistStu Hamm.[27]In November of that year, Michael Jackson's second posthumous album,Immortal,featured Howe's playing on "Dancing Machine"and"Beat It".[28]

Protocol

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In 2017 Howe joined the band Protocol, featuringSimon Phillipson drums, Ernest Tibbs on bass, andOtmaro Ruizon keyboard.[15]TheProtocol 4album was nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.[29]

Equipment

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As of 2017, Howe is endorsed by DV Mark amplification, who released a 'Maragold' signature amplifier in 2014.[30][31]He is also endorsed byDiMarzio,D'AddarioandFloyd Rose.Hiseffects pedalsinclude Carl Martin, Pigtronix andT-Rex.[32]Also in 2014, Howe was endorsed byKiesel Guitars,who released a signature 'GH24 model in February 2015.[33]A second signature guitar called the GH3 was released in 2017 by Kiesel Guitars. This guitar featured a three single coil pickups mounted on a pickguard giving it a look similar to theFender Stratocaster.Kiesel also offers the option of having aSeymour Duncanhumbucking pickup in the bridge position of the GH3.[34]As of Feb 2022, Kiesel Guitars offers a Greg Howe signature guitar, with various customizable features such as number of frets and fingerboard wood, with a fixed two single coil, one (bridge) humbucker pickup layout.[35]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Compilations

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Collaborations

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Howe II

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Maragold

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  • 2013:Maragold

Other appearances

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References

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  1. ^abcdMalusardi, Guglielmo (October 2006)."Interview: Greg Howe"ArchivedDecember 8, 2012, atarchive.today.Guitar Nine Records. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  2. ^Rabuffo, Mark (2008-07-22)."Greg Howe Interview".Modern Guitars Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  3. ^abWood, James (2012-07-30)."Interview: Guitarist Greg Howe Discusses New Vocal Project, Maragold, and Reflects on 1988 Debut Album"ArchivedOctober 17, 2017, at theWayback Machine.Guitar World.NewBay Media.Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  4. ^Guitar WorldStaff (2009-07-09)."Top 10 Shred Albums of All Time"ArchivedMay 28, 2011, at theWayback Machine.Guitar World.NewBay Media.Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  5. ^Hinds, Andy."Howe 2: High Gear - Greg Howe"ArchivedMarch 23, 2015, at theWayback Machine.AllMusic.All Media Network.Retrieved 2014-12-24.
  6. ^Hinds, Andy."Now Hear This - Greg Howe"ArchivedSeptember 7, 2015, at theWayback Machine.AllMusic.All Media Network.Retrieved 2014-12-24.
  7. ^Hinds, Andy."Greg Howe"ArchivedOctober 4, 2012, at theWayback Machine.AllMusic.Rovi Corporation.Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  8. ^Edwards, Owen (2006-08-29)."Greg Howe Interview - Fusion Maestro"ArchivedApril 13, 2015, at theWayback Machine.All Out Guitar. Retrieved 2015-09-09.
  9. ^Hinds, Andy."Introspection - Greg Howe"ArchivedMarch 23, 2015, at theWayback Machine.AllMusic.All Media Network.Retrieved 2014-12-24.
  10. ^Burk, Greg (2008-07-10)."Record review and artist interview: Greg Howe."ArchivedJune 28, 2021, at theWayback Machine.MetalJazz. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  11. ^Howe, Greg (2009-09-18)."Hammer-ons from Nowhere"ArchivedFebruary 28, 2014, at theWayback Machine.Premier Guitar.Retrieved 2014-02-28.
  12. ^Thal, Ron(2004-04-29)."interview with greg howe".Guitarist Heaven. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  13. ^Chopik, Ivan (2006-02-27)."Greg Howe Interview"ArchivedOctober 29, 2013, at theWayback Machine.Guitar Messenger. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  14. ^Wood, James (2017-08-08)."Greg Howe Goes Back to His Roots for Blistering New Album"ArchivedAugust 24, 2017, at theWayback Machine.Guitar World.NewBay Media.Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  15. ^abSands, David (2017-09-01)."Greg Howe Interview"ArchivedFebruary 18, 2018, at theWayback Machine.Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  16. ^Guitar World Staff (June 1, 2015)."Top 10 Pick Squealers of All Time".Guitar World.Archived fromthe originalon July 23, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 21,2022.
  17. ^Guitar WorldStaff (2019-12-19)."The 20 best guitar albums of the decade"ArchivedMarch 2, 2022, at theWayback Machine.Guitar World.NewBay Media.Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  18. ^Jordan, Oscar (2011-08-26)."Interview With Greg Howe"ArchivedOctober 29, 2013, at theWayback Machine.Guitar Muse. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  19. ^"Greg Announces New Band - 'Maragold'"ArchivedAugust 30, 2009, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  20. ^"Maragold releases debut rock album"ArchivedMay 11, 2013, at theWayback Machine.prnewsire.com. 2013-05-12.
  21. ^Nugraha, Dewa (February 2014)."Maragold Premiering 'Lullaby' Music Video"ArchivedFebruary 23, 2014, at theWayback Machine.Rock Expert. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  22. ^Rohman, Ashiqur (2016-08-25)."A Candid Chat with Guitar Legend Greg Howe!!!"ArchivedApril 13, 2017, at theWayback Machine.Any Louder. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  23. ^"Greg Howe Now a west coast resident"ArchivedAugust 30, 2009, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  24. ^"Greg Howe Webcam Lessons"ArchivedFebruary 5, 2012, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  25. ^"About Greg: BiographyArchivedSeptember 19, 2009, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  26. ^"Greg live in Poland"ArchivedAugust 30, 2009, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. 2009-09-29. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  27. ^"Greg Howe, Dennis Chambers, and Stu Hamm live in Italy and Israel"ArchivedAugust 30, 2009, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. 2012-01-21. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  28. ^"Greg Howe featured on Michael Jackson new album"ArchivedAugust 30, 2009, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. 2011-11-20. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  29. ^"61st GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees & Winners List".Grammy.com.December 7, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on June 27, 2019.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  30. ^"New Signature Amp Coming Soon!"ArchivedOctober 30, 2013, at theWayback Machine.greghowe.com. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  31. ^"Maragold"ArchivedFebruary 28, 2014, at theWayback Machine.DV Mark. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  32. ^"Home - Greg Howe".Greghowe.com.Archivedfrom the original on November 21, 2019.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  33. ^"GH24 Greg Howe signature bolt neck electric guitar".Kiesel Guitars.Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 22,2022.
  34. ^"The Official Blog of Kiesel Guitars and the Kiesel Guitars Custom Shop".Kieselguitars.com.Archived fromthe originalon November 17, 2019.RetrievedNovember 17,2019.
  35. ^"Greg Howe Signature Series".Kiesel Guitars.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 22,2022.
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