The Blockheads : Biographies : Dylan Howe

Dylan Howe

Drums / Percussion

(Photo - Yumi Hara)

Born on 4th August 1969 in Watford,England

Dylan started playing drums when he was 10. His distinctive groove and versatility has led him to be drummer of choice for some leading artists and producers worldwide - 'A superb player.' THE OBSERVER. At home in nearly any musical setting or genre - 'Dylan is one of the UK’s finest young drummers who can play funk, rock and jazz with consummate ease.' Chris Welch - Independent

Mostly self-taught and having first picked up sticks to jam with his dad Yes guitarist Steve Howe in 1979, Dylan's favourite drummers include Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Stewart Copeland, Dennis Davis, Al Jackson Jr, Bernard Purdie, John Bonham, and he loves the music of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Igor Stravinsky, David Bowie, Stax, James Brown, Yes and Stevie Wonder.

A member of seminal UK group The Blockheads for over 12 years, with sessions on over 50 albums and hundreds of live TV appearances, arena tours and appearances at festivals worldwide, attracting praise from RONNIE SCOTT'S: 'Dylan Howe, rightly acclaimed as one of the best drummers of his generation' and THE GUARDIAN: 'Howe, always inspiring and invigorating in any genre.'

DH has worked with many producers including; Trevor Horn, John Leckie, Andy Wright, Richard Niles, Nigel Godrich and Guy Chambers.

Dylan's love of jazz has run like a thread through his session and sideman career. Credits including Ian Dury and The Blockheads, Nick Cave, Damon Albarn, Portishead, Robert Wyatt, Steve Howe, Ray Davies, David Gilmour, Mick Jones, Hugh Cornwell, Gabrielle, Chaka Khan, Paul McCartney, Gilad Atzmon, Stan Sulzmann, Pete King and Courtney Pine among others.

'The versatile DH is one of the rare jazz musicians who has spent most of his creative life operating in another style entirely.' John Fordham.

Dylan formed his acclaimed Blue Note-styled quintet in 2003, releasing four albums and touring the UK intensively since then - 'The best neo-bop group in the country' - London Evening Standard and Jazz CD of the week in The Observer and ES. 'A looseness reminiscent of Miles' 1960s ensemble, (DH) knows exactly how the dynamics and drama of this idiom are supposed to work, and he proves himself to be a sophisticated composer of slow tone-poetry'; THE GUARDIAN.

DH moved from quintet to quartet lineup in 2007, also with new projects including: The Subterraneans - a 12-piece reworking of David Bowie's albums Low and "Heroes". 'DH excels himself, Inspired' Time Out, 'Immaculate, entrancing.' JAZZWISE;

Stravinsky Duo - The Rite of Spring and Firebird Suite adapted for piano and drums. 'Consistently absorbing, occasionally downright mesmerising' Chris Parker - The Vortex

DH has been interviewed for Rhythm, Musician, Jazzwise and Drummer magazines for his evolving style at the drum - 'Howe swings effortlessly.' DRUMMER MAGAZINE

During 2008 Dylan also toured with his Larry Young styled Hammond group - 'Unity 4' (sparking a trend of similar groups in the London jazz scene), Steve Howe Trio, Get The Blessing and Beth Rowley.

Most recently during 2009, DH played on and produced tracks for former Slits' guitarist Viv Albertine, joined Wilko Johnson's trio and is gigging and recording his Stravinsky Duo project with piano player Will Butterworth. 'Swings like an old veteran.' MODERN DRUMMER

'Dylan Howe makes it new. The way he plays it, it's as if Be-bop were still hot and wet from its Harlem womb - he plays time from the heart.' ROBERT WYATT

'You funky little bastard.' IAN DURY

'Dylan Howe simply does all the right things.' MUSICIAN MAGAZINE

'The best new young drummer to emerge since Phil Collins or Stewart Copeland.' YESWORLD