Jim Howe Memorial Jazz Concert
The smooth vocals and piano chords of the jazz standard “Lush Life” filled the Bowld last Tuesday as musicians performed in the memory of former Bass Instructor Jim Howe.
On Oct. 1, the Music Department hosted the Jim Howe Memorial Jazz Concert to honor Howe, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 61. The concert featured songs by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, arranged by pianist Ryan Parker. Guest performers included Chris Humphrey, Sharon Jones and David Ripley on vocals.
The rest of the band was composed of Exeter’s adjunct jazz instructors: Carl Benivides and Charlie Jennison on saxophone, Les Harris Jr. on drums, Keala Kaumeheiwa on bass and Petra Pacaric on vocals. The Music Department has named the annual fall jazz concert in honor of Howe since 2007 to keep his “name and legacy alive,” Harris said.
Beyond teaching at PEA, Howe had an illustrious, fulfilling career as a bassist in the Seacoast area. Growing up in Maine, he began playing the upright bass in sixth grade and eventually attended the University of Maine. Howe took part in Boston’s jazz scene for a few years before coming to New Hampshire. In the Seacoast, Howe was an original member of the Tommy Gallant Trio and formed his own Jim Howe Trio, establishing himself as a driving force in New Hampshire’s jazz scene. Aside from his musical career, Howe also worked as a professional photographer and ran a studio in Portsmouth for a few years.
The musicians said that they shared a deep sense of collaboration and camaraderie throughout the rehearsals and the performance because many were already connected with one another, as well as with Howe. Harris, who met Howe when he was still in high school and played alongside him in the Tommy Gallant Trio, described Howe as “a very knowledgeable and complete musician.”
However, Harris recalled not only Howe’s musical talents, but also his bright and uplifting energy. “Mr. Howe was a very upbeat and humorous person. You couldn’t help but be in a good mood just being around him,” Harris said. “He had a huge personality and presence which affected the entire department in a positive way.”
Harris added that Howe’s lively personality shined through while he was playing the bass. “[I learned from him] to not be afraid to have fun in any musical situation,” Harris said. “He was a very serious musician and played at a very high level, but he always had fun on the bandstand and that was infectious.”
All the music at Tuesday’s concert was arranged by pianist Ryan Parker, who was a member of the Jim Howe trio. Pacaric said that his presence at the concert made it more memorable. “I knew Mr. Parker, who did the programing and arrangements for this event, and most of the other musicians involved—so the project promised to be an extra special occasion,” she said.
Jennison grew acquainted with Howe through the Seacoast jazz scene in the 1970s, and they taught together at Exeter from the 1990s through the 2000s. Jennison recalled Howe’s love for jazz standards, and appreciated how the memorial concert kept this spirit alive. “I think it’s really important for students to appreciate the repertoire of jazz,” he said. “It is important to keep the legacy and memories of these great men and musicians alive.”
Harris also noted that the act of preserving and continuing traditions was integral to jazz culture. “Jazz is about passing what we’ve learned from previous generations down to future generations,” he said.
Pacaric agreed that sharing the culture of jazz with students was a significant purpose of the concert. “Passing on the important musical heritage of Duke Ellington’s music to our students and supporting the tradition of the great Jim Howe, together with some extremely talented musicians who knew him, only increased the inspiration I gained from this project.” Because every performer is an active musician and/or instructor, organizing rehearsals was not an easy task.
Kaumeheiwa explained that the performance was nonetheless successful, partially due the improvisational nature of the genre. “Jazz musicians are accustomed to working things out during the performance, and this was no exception,” he said. “It’s difficult to get so many musicians together to rehearse—everyone’s schedules are very busy—so often times we have to be “in the moment” and be able to react instantly.”
Lower Shantelle Subkhanberdina appreciated the special incorporation of jazz music into the concert series, and thought the atmosphere at the show was inviting. “I thought it was a really nice switch up from the usual predominantly classic programming that I have attended in the past,” she said. “It was a pretty interactive concert and the audience seemed to have had a really great time.”
Pacaric similarly recalled the open, warm energy in the concert hall. “I saw a lot of happy faces on both sides of the stage,” she said. “If anything stuck out as particularly special to me, I would say it was being connected so tightly with my fellow musicians at this occasion, seeing how everybody involved was so accomplished and giving and having the opportunity to bring this amazing vibe to the audience as a group.”
Lower Anne Chen was moved by the performance to learn more about Howe, especially because of the connection between Howe and all of the musicians. “Watching Jim Howe’s ex-bandmates and their passion for music was really inspiring,” she said. “After the concert, I asked my drum teacher about Jim Howe’s life, and he was such a cool person.”
Harris noted the significance of honoring continuing to honor Howe’s memory through these concerts. “Mr. Howe and Mr. Gallant put a lot of [time] and energy into teaching students and performing here at PEA. It’s important that we remember them and make future generations aware of their contributions to music and music education.”