Eli Howell

Biography
Articles

Trombonist, composer, and educator Eli Howell was born in Los Angeles, California. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State University in 2023 and his Masters Degree in 2025 as a graduate assistant to Guggenheim Fellow Michael Dease. He has been recognized as a two time finalist for the International Trombone Festival Jazz Competition, American Trombone Workshop Jazz Competition and led the award winning MSU Jazz Trombone ensemble who won the 2024 Kai Winding Jazz Ensemble Competition.

Eli has had the pleasure of performing all over the world in amazing venues such as The Hollywood Bowl, Birdland Jazz Club, the Detroit Jazz Festival, the Chengdu International Music Festival held in Chengdu China and many more. Eli has had the pleasure of collaborating with amazing musicians such as Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Lewis Nash, Steve Davis, Renee Rosnes, Gerald Clayton, Bob James, Ulysses Owens Jr., Bill Cundliffe, and Walter Blanding Jr. Along with being an accomplished player, he is an award winning composer and arranger. He has been commissioned to arrange music for high name artists such as Carmen Bradford, Michael Dease, and Rodney Whitaker. In 2026, Eli will be releasing his debut record entitled ‘Steps Taken’ which features an all star cast of Downbeat and Grammy award winning musicians such as Brian Lynch, Sharel Cassity, Wycliffe Gordon, Ulysses Owens Jr, Rodney Whitaker, and Michael Dease.

Awards

2 Time finalist for the International Trombone Festival Solo Jazz Trombone Competition

2 Time finalist for the American Trombone Workshop Solo Jazz Trombone Competition

Michael Dease: Grove's Groove

Read "Grove's Groove" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
October 6, 2024

The story of Michael Dease's journey from sax to trombone and back again is one any parent of a musically talented child could recognize. Dease started out as an alto saxophonist in middle school. Sometime later, he wanted to switch to the baritone sax. He worked at it. And worked at it some more. His combination of talent and practice paid off. Dease became something of a young monster on the horn, outplaying his senior bandmates in high school. But ...