A New Yorker, Ed Howard joined forces with the brilliant drummer Roy Haynes in the early '80s and has been featured on three discs created by the Haynes group, including the 1992 Homecoming. Clifford Jordan is a tenor saxophonist who many modern jazz fans will associate with the intense bass playing of bandleader and composer Charlie Mingus. Howard, undoubtedly influenced by the latter master as would be any jazz bassist, also cites Jordan himself as a major teacher. Howard played in Jordan's own quartet from 1983 through 1992. It was in this context that the bassist had his first chance to record, a session that also featured pianist Jaki Byard, yet another of the major Mingus alumni. A contrasting collaboration for the bassist has been his work with an ensemble led by Gary Thomas, 7th Quadrant. Although these recordings and performances have involved rap and hip-hop aspects, the bassist should not be confused with the Eddie Howard who wrote soul material such as Lil' Ghetto Boy. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi