Arnett Howard describes himself as a “musician, broadcaster, journalist, historian, traveler, communications consultant, teacher, pilot, scuba diver, skier, and confessed women’s basketball addict.” Born in West Virginia and raised in Plain City, Ohio, Arnett was educated at Jonathan Alder High School and Capital University. He began his career as a professional musician in 1967. Today he is one of the best-known and best-loved musicians in the Columbus area. He performs as a band leader, trumpet soloist, vocalist, pianist, story teller, and stand up comic. His reputation makes him an official ambassador for Columbus, Ohio as he travels and performs around the country, and the world.
After logging over five thousand events in eighteen summers with “Arnett Howard’s Creole Funk Band”, he is now leading “Arnett Howard and Friends.”
His concerts combine history lessons, audience participation, creativity, and inspiration as he moves from one selection to the next. His repertoire includes New Orleans dixieland, Motown, Memphis blues, creole and cajun dance music, classic riverboat songs, and contemporary pop and jazz standards.
He pays tribute to the early musicians in Columbus in a co-authored book, “Listen for the Jazz: Keynotes in Columbus History.” He has recorded several commercial CD’s, and created the theme for NBC4’s “Football Friday Night” series. Besides playing for private and public functions, he offers schools, libraries, and non-profits a number of educational (and highly
interactive) musical presentations. With children he is a “pied piper of music,” leading them in creating and performing music, not just inactive listening.
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