Howard Britz (pianist, bassist, and composer) grew up in London, England. He has performed and recorded with many influential musicians, including bebop vocal legends Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross; latin jazz greats Danilo Perez and Paquito de Rivera; and important jazz artists such as Sam Rivers, Julius Hemphill, Kenny Werner, Uri Caine, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Kenny Wheeler, and Tim Garland. The breadth of his musical influences in the jazz, latin, R&B, and gospel fields can be heard in his playing and compositions. Arriving in America in 1991 on a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, one of his first gigs was with Billy Pierce, the ex-Art Blakey tenor man. He received a graduate diploma from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1995. In 1995, he overshot New York City and moved to Philadelphia for, as he puts it, “romantic reasons.” “I learned so much playing with the wonderful Philly musicians of the older and younger generations, such as Mickey Roker, Sid Simmons, Uri Caine, John Swana, and the many soulful jazz/blues vocalists–it was a great scene.” Residing in New York City since 1998, Britz has continued to play, record, and teach. As a leader, he has three CDs out under his own name: “The Future, The Past,” “Made in Brooklyn,” and, most recently, “Here I Stand.” In 2008, he took his band on tour in England to great audiences and excellent reviews. He received a B.F.A. in music and education, summa cum laude, from The City College of New York in 2005. “My goal is to be a contemporary player conversant with what’s going on now, but always in touch with the roots of jazz and latin music, i.e. it’s really important to groove and for things to feel good.”