Mainstream jazz bassist, pianist, composer and bandleader Howard Britz was born in London, England, May 1, 1961. Growing up in the U.K. afforded him opportunities to perform with contemporaries such as pianists Jonathan Gee or Jason Rebello, and saxophonist Tim Garland. But he was most inspired by American jazz bassists Ron Carter, Ray Brown, Eddie Gomez, and Christian McBride. He was a member of the band for the stage show Blues in the Night which ran for over a year in London's West End. Upon his emigration to the U.S. in 1991 on a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, the bassist studied there for one year before transferring to the New England Conservatory, graduating with a degree in Jazz Performance in 1995. He was on call as a top bass player in that city and mingled with the plethora of local musicians. While concurrently establishing himself on the East Coast scene, he enjoyed success as a sideman, in particular initially with saxophonist Bill Pierce. In 1995, Britz moved to Philadelphia, and teamed with such notable locals as Mickey Roker, Sid Simmons, Uri Caine, John Swana, and several different jazz and blues singers. Howard then left Philly for Brooklyn, NY, and received his B.F.A. Summa Cum Laude in Music Education at City College/C.U.N.Y. in 2005. In addition to performing, he teaches classes, workshops, and takes private students. A bandleader in his own right, he has performed and recorded with a diverse collection of influential musicians including Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross, Danilo Perez, Paquito D'Rivera, Sam Rivers, Julius Hemphill, Kenny Werner, Uri Caine, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Kenny Wheeler, Edsel $Gomez, and the New York Central Baptist Gospel Choir. ~ Michael G. Nastos