Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Brandon Howard, where smooth jazz and R&B come together to create a unique playing style that is all his own. Brandon is one of the most in demand keyboard players on the music scene today. The Columbus native has always been about the music as he plays freely with such passion and enthusiasm. His rich, lush harmonies combined with advanced rhythms, improvisation, and intricate melodies leave the audience mesmerized.
Brandon's musical journey started when he was 4 years old. His family owned a piano and Brandon gravitated towards the instrument almost every day playing TV & Movie songs by ear. Brandon's mother enrolled him in classical piano lessons when he was 6 years old. His piano teacher at the time, Dr. Elva Michal, taught him the basic fundamentals of music theory, scales, sight reading, as well as proper fingering and technique.
Brandon was exposed to all kinds of music growing up. He loves and listens to everything from 70's & 80's pop and R&B, to electronic dance, old school, Latin, and his favorite which is jazz! Brandon is inspired by many legendary artists including Joe Sample, George Duke, Jeff Lorber, David Sanborn, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Babyface, Anita Baker, Toto, Michael Jackson, and Al Jarreau. Herbie Hancock is his biggest influence!
Brandon earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from the prestigious Capital University Conservatory of Music. In 1995, he joined Urban Jazz Coaltion (UJC) , an award-winning R&B jazz group consisting of 6 band members. Brandon has recorded at least 9 CD's with UJC and has been their keyboardist for the last 30 years. He's a very prolific songwriter and has written a number of the band's greatest hits, including: “Jamocha,” “Around 3 AM,” “Luquillo Beach,” “A Tender Kiss,” and “After Dusk,” which reached #45 on the Smooth Jazz National Airplay charts in 2002! Brandon has performed at several different venues and festivals with UJC over the years including: Natalie's Grandview Music Hall & Kitchen, Columbus Jazz & Rib Festival, Gahanna Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival, Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz (Hartford, CT) , Seabreeze Jazz Festival (Santa Rosa Beach, FL) , Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival (Rehoboth Beach, DE), and Modesto Jazz and Arts Festival (Modesto, CA) just to name a few.
Brandon still performs with UJC to this day, but also plays piano and organ at his church on the weekends . In addition, he is a part time pianist at Von Maur in Polaris Fashion Mall where he's been employed since 2005. He released his first single on May 16, 2025 entitled, “From This To That.” This is an original composition by Brandon with a simple melody, catchy hook, and “head boppin" groove that's sure to please any contemporary jazz fan. Brandon is in the process of creating new music and plans to release a 2nd single in the fall of 2025!
No matter what the occasion may be, Brandon always delivers the “musical goods!” His music not only tells a story, but is fresh, soulful, lively, inspirational, and straight from the heart. Jazz legend, Herbie Hancock once said:
“Music is a story about life and it's a story about heart. Nobody wants to hear a C Sharp Major with a sharp 11th. All these technical things. That's not music…that's craft. If it's a void of the heart then it doesn't mean anything.” Herbie Hancock
New music is in the works and Brandon cannot wait to share it. Stay tuned as he continues to showcase his remarkable talent and dedication to the music world!