Kid Howard

Listening to records featuring Kid Howard can be quite frustrating because his alcoholism led to some very erratic playing. Howard started playing drums when he was 14, gigged with Chris Kelly (who gave him cornet lessons), and a little later switched permanently to cornet and eventually trumpet. He worked in New Orleans with the Eureka Brass Band, Allen's Brass Band, and the Tuxedo Brass Band, among others. Howard led his own group in the late '20s and also played with Sam Morgan, in the pit orchestra of the Palace Theatre (1938-1943), with a variety of dance bands and with Jim Robinson and Capt. John Handy. In 1943, Howard recorded with George Lewis and sounded in prime form, playing better and more consistently than he would for the next 20 years. He freelanced in New Orleans (recording as the leader of the Original Zenith Brass Band in 1946), and then in 1952 became a member of George Lewis' band for nine years. Sometimes he sounded exuberant, other times very much like an out-of-tune amateur; drinking often took precedence over playing. A serious illness in 1961 resulted in him leaving Lewis although Howard recovered enough so he was able to play at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, and at other local venues up until shortly before his death. Private recordings released by American Music feature Kid Howard playing in a Louis Armstrong-inspired style during 1937-1940. Otherwise he led albums during 1961-1965 for Icon, Mono, Jazzology, San Jacinto, Nobility, and the Japanese Dan label.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo