Elé Salif Howell playing alongside Ravi Coltrane. Photo: Nitin Mukul

This week we welcome Elé Salif Howell, a drummer who caught the attention of Epicenter NYC artistic director Nitin Mukul at an “electrifying” performance last week. He was playing alongside Ravi Coltrane, the son of the late jazz legends John and Alice Coltrane, and pianist Gadi Lehavi. The concert was a free show organized by the Jamaica Center for Art and Learning in Queens, as part of its Thursday Night Jazz series. JCAL’s programming includes art exhibitions, screenings, performances and more.

Howell is a San Francisco native who moved to NYC in 2016. He will be playing as part of Coltrane’s trio for several nights in March at The Blue Note in Manhattan. And his own quartet will play at the intimate Bar Lunatico in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, on Feb. 29, for a suggested donation of $10.

Drummer Elé Salif Howell. Photo courtesy of Elé Salif Howell

“Fueled by an energetic and dynamic playing style, I take audiences on a journey through the diverse realms of Afro-diasporic traditions,” Howell says. “Growing up in a musical household, my influences include artists such as Miles Davis, Youssou N’Dour, James Brown and Earth, Wind and Fire.”

Learn more about Howell’s music on his website and Instagram.

Nitin is a visual designer, gallery artist, and community arts activist. Past desk-oriented posts include: PBS, Digitas, K12, Inc., Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and Sesame Workshop International....

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