Jazz Articles about Matthew Howell

About Matthew Howell

Album Review

OSU Jazz Orchestra: Angular Tuesday

Read "Angular Tuesday" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 9, 2024

The splendid Oklahoma State University Jazz Orchestra seldom pauses for breath on Angular Tuesday, its third album under director Tommy Poole. The ensemble enters as though shot from a cannon on Don Menza's frenzied “Time Check," and keeps on swinging and swaying through a lively program that encompasses sunlit compositions by Maria Schneider, Bob Mintzer, Thad Jones, Don Grolnick, Matt Catingub and Matt Harris, plus the animated and funky title selection, written by saxophonist Matthew Howell in 2021, his senior ...

Album Review

OSU Jazz Orchestra: Room 118

by Jack Bowers
December 6, 2021

Room 118 honors the space in the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts wherein the splendid Oklahoma State University Jazz Orchestra and other on-campus jazz groups held their rehearsals for many years. There must be something special there, as the OSU ensemble is one of the most well-rehearsed university-level jazz ensembles you're likely to encounter this side of the University of North Texas—and even that comparison marks a very close call. Director Tommy Poole had the band burnished and ready ...