EILEEN HOWARD
R e v i e w s
T e s t i m o n i a l s
Praise for Big City Love:
On tap here are seven beautiful covers and standards with Howard offering four originals of her own in a nice package of jazz, funk and blues performed with a core quartet rhythm section...Armed with a vocal instrument that's quite appealing, Howard lays down the lyrics with moments of passion...Eileen Howard lets it all hang out with a stylish performance on Big City Love, completing a session of standard love songs, all in a jazz vocal tribute to a city and a man that have earned a special place in her heart, well done!
Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
This lady is a singer, composer, arranger and one who makes you believe the words she is singing. Behind her are some of New Yorks finest all contributing to this rather special bite of the Big Apple. The final track sums it up - But Beautiful! Eileen's version of Sunday in New York should be adopted by the city's tourist board!
Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here
Big as the city is itself is Howard's personality..Howard's lyrics are witty, her delivery certain... a Samba-flavored wet kiss for the Big Apple. Stunning is the closing "But Beautiful."
C. Michael Bailey, Jazz Quanta
Howard has produced an impressive ode to New York and the power of an enduring relationship. Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz
Praise for Blues in the Green Room:
Eileen Howard is a very appealing singer with a powerful voice and a joyful personality. She was based in Columbus, Ohio for a long period before moving to New York two years ago. Blues In the Green Room was recorded in Columbus shortly before she relocated and it finds her emphasizing the blues side of jazz. With the backing of an excellent local rhythm section that features Ed Moed on organ and piano, guitarist David Bennett and tenor-saxophonist Randy Mather, Ms. Howard puts plenty of spirit and emotion into such songs as “Fever,” Willie Dixon’s “Blues For Comfort,” “I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl,” and “Wild Woman Don’t Have The Blues.” She also takes some time off from the blues to sing a sweet ballad version of the 1930s Bing Crosby hit “It’s Easy To Remember,” “Frim Fram Sauce” and “Body And Soul.” This CD (available from www.singouteileen.com) is a delight with Eileen Howard sometimes going over the top when the lyrics call for it. She clearly has fun during the more risqué vintage blues songs as does the audience.
Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene
Eileen Howard sings like a Diva, vamps like a Rat-Pack veteran and generally entertains like few others can on Blues in the Green Room. Making her case to be considered one of the great torch singers of her generation, Howard is in a league of her own here. Her interpretations of the American Songbook are nonpareil. The audience on the live recording is obviously receptive, and Howard’s backing band could walk onto any stage, anywhere and be allowed to play whatever they want. They’re that good. But Howard is one of a kind. More
Wildy Haskell, Wildy's World
Blues aficionados are sure to love Blues In The Green Room, the latest release from seasoned performer Eileen Howard. Her vocal range is one of the most impressive aspects of the album. With her voice exuding passion and experience in a way that only a true musician’s is able to.... Howard has done these tracks, not to mention the blues genre as a whole, an incredible justice on this release. For a live album, the amount of subtle perfections and lack of both vocal and instrumental blemishes is quite impressive. Even if you’re not necessarily an avid blues or jazz listener, you’re going to find a place in your heart for Howard’s music.
Alec Cunningham, Good Vibes
This girl can sing the blues no doubt - imagine Bessie Smith digitally recorded with the rough edges slightly smoothed and you've got Eileen in the Green Room...Nothing will replace Peg's versions [of Black Coffee and Fever] but, if you'd heard these tracks first then maybe, just maybe the positions would be reversed.
Lance Liddle, BeBop Spoken Here
I am feeling like the coolest cat in school as I vibe along to Eileen Howard’s Blues In The Green Room. With her smooth, sultry voice and those finger snappin’ bluesy jazz grooves, I can’t help but fall in love with this one....Blues In The Green Room is all Eileen and her charisma, passion, and ability to connect with her listeners sets her apart from the pack. More
Joshua Smotherman, Middle Tennessee Music
This isn’t so much down home as it is upbeat, an empowering set of blues from a singer with jazz chops. There’s a buoying effect throughout Eileen Howard’s Blues in the Green Room....Blues in the Green Room is, more often than not, that rare hope-filled blues recording, one presented with no small amount of can-do enthusiasm. It’s a contagious delight.
Nick DeRiso, Something Else! Reviews
She harnesses the genre as one of those rare entertainers with the sensitivity and witty flair to deeply evoke the human sensibilities (especially the feminine ones)....Howard handles topics that make for unsettling table conversation with the compassionate joshing that comes from a unique inner strength and personality. More
Howard is the star here and she ably holds her own throughout these thirteen great songs. Interpreting familiar classics like “Fever” and “Frim Fram Sauce,” Howard and company’s delivery is reminiscent in ways of Eva Cassidy and Chuck Brown’s The Other Side. Her vocal skills are in full bloom and she rocks the house, nailing her notes and putting swagger into every line, her personality finding its way not only through the playful in-between track vignettes “Eileen’s Reason #3 to Sing the Blues”, coupled with another, but also through her rendition of a song like “Built For Comfort,” which she mines for additional humor....from the moment she opens her mouth and the notes flow out, listeners are bound to be captivated by her artistry. And when surrounded by such a strong band as she is here on Blues In the Green Room, the results are wonderful. Fans of artists like Diana Krall and Eva Cassidy need look no further for some new inspiration; Eileen Howard is the real deal. More
Andrew Greenhalgh, Along the Journey
Street of Dreams:
Street of Dreams allows the taste buds to flow with as fine a selection of gasbook interpretations this side of Frank and Ella ,and her take on The Nearness of You would do credit to either of the aforementioned icons.
Lance Liddle, BeBop Spoken Here
The singer’s wide range, attractive voice and ability to interpret a wide variety of material make this a highly enjoyable listen. In addition to joyfully singing standards that range from “A Kiss To Build A Dream On” to “A Night In Tunisia,” she contributes two thoughtful originals and the lyrics to another song. Not everyone can sing both Mose Allison’s “Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy” and Chick Corea’s “Open Your Eyes You Can Fly” but Eileen Howard creates equally effective versions back-to-back. This is a singer well worth discovering.
Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
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Central Ohio jazz aficionados know her as one of the most creative and swingin’ singers ever to vocalize on the local jazz scene. This, her second CD, showcases the marvelous Howard voice and her superb interpretation and meaningful presentation of lyrics.
Fritz "the Night Owl" Peerenboom,,Short North Gazette.
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This lady can definitely sing up a storm with a voice that allows her to reach and hit the high notes with effortless ease...lush velvet voice. A very impressive vocal performance from Eileen Howard and stellar musical support make Street of Dreams a compelling album and musical treat.
Edward Blanco, Jazzreview.com
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Passionate and fun jazz. The Columbus Dispatch
MakeOver:
I have been playing your [song] Make Me Over, over and over and over. My listeners just love it, absolutely. I had so many calls, things just lit up.
Jim Spencer, Deejay KHCA Radio
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​All Kinds of Weather:
A terrific voice, fresh interpretations of well-known lyrics, and solid jazz sensibilites all contribute to this superb collection. 'Tis a pleasure to have her perform on my Megaplex Stage in "The Owl's House Of Jazz!
Fritz the Night Owl; Smooth Jazz WJZA-WJZK on his radio program.
Eileen Howard brings a grace and ease to the stage, with vocals that will please any crowd! As a venue owner in New York City, I highly recommend her for any event or booking.
John Forslund,
Owner, The West End, NYC
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I want to take a moment to say your Wild Women show was just wonderful! I enjoyed each moment, each song. It made for a very entertaining evening.
Karen
The Wild Women wowed the sell-out crowd at Short North Stage's Green Room Friday night with a varied and infectiously entertaining evening of spirited blues. Eileen Howard, a favorite in the Green Room, just keeps getting better and better. The addition of Jen Milligan, with her sassy confidence and inventive choice of song, and the inspired accompaniment of French guitarist Pascal Fouquet brought new levels of joy--or maybe rapture is the better word-- to the audience.
Rick Gore, Short North Stage
We love Eileen as she regularly sings at our special events like the Apron Gala and Holiday Open House. She has customers clapping their hands, tapping their toes and singing along, if not dancing in the aisles!
Mary Martineau,
Director of Marketing, North Market
We've hired Eileen Howard for the past four years for our client events with great success. She and her band are professional and entertaining.
Randall Gerber, Gerber Financial Services
I just wanted to say as soon as possible how great you were tonight. Wonderful!
Sam
Thank you so much for playing at our wedding. It was absolutely perfect!! You did such a great job and we had so many people ask us about you. If you ever need another recommendation, we would be delighted! The songs you learned for us were terrific!
Todd and Kim Waggoner
You and your band did an amazing job! We were very happy and received lots of compliments about your performance! Thanks again. We were very pleased.
Maria MiefertI
Just wanted to drop you a note to say thanks for the beautiful music. You and the guys were wonderful. Everyone, including myself, loved your voice.
Vanessa Shepherd
Thank you so very much for making my wedding day that much more special. The music was beautiful, a perfect 10!!!
D’Andrea
Awesome! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Jean
Awards
Excellence in Acting, Supporting Actress (Mimi - A NEW BRAIN)
Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable
Excellence in Musical Performance (JERRY'S GIRLS)
Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable
Best Supporting Actress (Gorgeous - SISTERS ROSENSWEIG)
​Columbus Alive Magazine​
Best Actress Honorable Mention
(Della - BLUE PLATE SPECIAL)
The Columbus Dispatch
Link Award for Excellence
(Sylvia - SYLVIA) Curtain Players