A very funny man. Serious, humble, kind, but with the driest sense of humor. “Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard.”

Thank you Greg, for your friendship, guidance, and for carrying a very tired Blue Indigo across the finish line. — Sal

More videos from the “early days” in Charlottesville: https://salsoghoian.com/howard/

I first met Greg on Stickwire, after I got my first Stick in 1990 and joined up. We chatted a lot, about many topics. In 1996, Greg was on a solo tour around part of the country, and wanted to drop in and meet me face to face. It worked out that he sat in with our band Dangerous Odds, which was a band consisting of two performance poets and a group of musicians plus regular invited guests. we played 100% improvised music to accompany the poetry performance; music in all styles, changing directions at the drop of a pin. Dangerous Odds spoiled me for playing anything but completely improvised music, whether it be free jazz or groove based improv or semi-structured improv or avant-garde experimental noise. Anyway, Greg sat in with us for an evening's recording session—and raised all of us to a higher level of musicianship just be playing the way he playing. For me as a still-young-in-technique Stickist is like getting a free lesson. Greg pushed me by example to play better than I ever did before. On one experimental track Greg also played sax. 

That evening of music is on my Bandcamp if you want to hear it, consisting of a Dangerous Odds album titled "Being Post-Modern."

Greg spent the night on my couch that night, before driving on, and we talked fairly late into the night. That was the beginning of my friendships with Greg.

We met many other times over the years, in various places and various ways, most often at Interlochen Stick Seminar. Greg would greet me with a "Hi, Art," and we would go on conversing as though there had been no gap of time since we last saw each other. 

I have a lot more good memories. Thank you, Greg, for being a friend, a colleague, a musical inspiration, and sometimes a mentor but more often an encouraging sibling who brought out the best in my Stick playing, time and again.

Here is the full version of the photo I made at the Stick Enterprises both at NAMM 2005 in Anaheim. It features Greg Howard, Emmett Chapman, Jim Reilly, and Tony Levin. (I have a much higher resolution version of hte photo somewhere in my archives.) 

This came about when I had just left where I was living in Taos, NM, to move to California. I called Stick Enterprises while I was driving, I don't remember why, and talked to Yuta and then to Emmett. They invited me to come to NAMM and hang out. I ended being an unofficial "worker" at the booth. I happened to be there when Tony dropped by, which was an occasion, so we all made this portrait happen. It was great. (I also got to meet Robert Moog at that convention.) 

For me this pic of Greg and Emmett together really speaks to their familial relationship. The level of trust between them was deep. 



Letter to Greg,
I can't believe...
Magic your music Greg: I remember the first time I saw you in Holland with your group and this Soprano saxophone, the Stick integrated into the music of a group speaks to me, this instrument has always had trouble finding its place between a guitar, a piano, a bass, but the balance with you is perfect.
Your improvisation too and the freedom of expression while keeping the precision of the sound of the note, you concentrate and you leave, immerse yourself in an endless dialogue with your Stick.
You are a great inspiration, I am touched by your musicality, the seriousness, the patience with which you give your advice, defend this instrument, play with it, the sound is perfect, sober and always effective.
I learned a lot in your classes and followed some of your advice, you always answer precisely the vague questions you are asked, explaining in depth and with great thought the functioning of music or the Stick.
Your person also touches me, I remember those magical moments but full of nostalgia in Italy, Sicily, Los Angeles, another aspect of your person that I also discovered, your caustic humor, I love it...
Your sincerity, your seriousness, your musicality, your fidelity, are a precious guide in this uncertain adventure of life, I often refer to you while taking my Stick. Without really following the rules we need a guide to reframe ourselves, to believe, to move forward, to imagine, to create, this life is a path of sharing, who are we? Together…

friendship forever
Jacky

7/20/23, 4:50am
Greg, was my brother’s angel. He was there for him. He arrived at Emmett’s deepest hour of need. He defended him, where others wouldn’t go. 

For years, I was jealous. I couldn’t possibly understand the deep friendship that they had formed, the trust. I was stupid for being jealous. Greg was Emmett‘s best friend. And he was always there to help me with advice or anything else. I remember him encouraging me from the very start when I was struggling over my decision whether to make a documentary about Emmett or not.

He dedicated himself in his final days to helping me with this project. I came to realize it was also his mission. God bless dear Greg’s soul.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

Greg & Emmett
Their meeting was destiny. I don’t know how else you can look at it. In October 1991, Greg Howard decided to book a long flight from Virginia to California to meet this unusual person, who created his own way of playing music. Earlier that year, Greg lost his father and Emmett would soon be losing his in a few days. 
This started a 30-year relationship that was built on trust and the shared values of originality, independence, performance and improvised music. 
Of all Stick players, Greg played like Emmett more than anyone. He made up his mind to understand Emmett like few others. And how many people know Emmett’s middle name is Howard?

posted 4/25/23 on Facebook

Greg in 3rd grade.  I spent many mornings at the Howard breakfast table waiting for their elegant chaos to complete so we could miss the bus together.  You knew then he, and his family, were "special."  The talent in that house, the love, all palpable.  To a kid from a not so elegant chaos, it was fascinating and comforting.  It was in many ways hope.  The world is a better place for this Dude.  I love you Greg Howard.  Rest easy my friend.  Thank you for you.

Greg Howard, friend and mentor. I met Greg in Holland in 1999 at, as you would expect, a 'Stick' seminar. Such was the nature of our respective music careers, that we only met again around 10 years later when Greg and I held a seminar in Beaconsfield UK. Even so he greatly impacted my life as musician, Stickist and human being. Over the years he was always my 'goto' person for inspiration and expertise as I struggled to get somewhere close to his immense 'Stick-ability'. I never did  of course! And so, with heavy heart I must say goodbye to Greg. It doesn't feel right. It  shouldn't be. I'll never be able to say 'I've been practicing this, what do you think?' and then sit back, listen and learn, and have a wonderful time with my Stick guru, and friend Greg Howard. But I'll keep on practicing and hope that from somewhere beyond  I might imagine hearing ' Hey Steve, it sounds good'. My Love goes out to Joyce and the family at this sad time. I hope theres some comfort knowing that Gregs life made difference to so many people.   

I saw Greg perform in Montreal at the jazz festival. I had never heard of him before and his playing knocked me out. I’m deeply saddened by his passing. Condolences to all his friends and family. He sent a lot of love out into the world with his remarkable music. He made our lives richer for that. It’s a great thing to be remembered for.

I first met Greg at a TR3 show at the C&O in Charlottesville in 1985 ( a Google search of my name will show I am an actor/musician/activist). I was a high school student who had been working with Tim Reynolds band, trying to get them bookings. This particular night in 1985, they sounded particularly exceptional with trippy sound effects on the vocals and drums. I noticed a guy about my age in the back of the club tweeking nobs on some equipment. Tim introduced me to Greg as "the band's new Brian Eno".  Later, I ran into Greg a couple of times in LA, where I lived and he told me about his work with the Chapman Stick. When I returned to Charlottesville in 2014 and won the Democratic nomination for Congress he supported me. He was a great guy. Very sweet, talented, and very kind.

These two.  
Brothers in spirit.  
Heart family to us.  

love always, 
Diana and Grace

Greg was a mentor, a guide and a light for the whole Stick community. Although I never met him in person, we chatted many times, as I bought all his methods and various of his CDs, and also attended some of his collective on line lessons, and he always was very kind to me. He was a beautiful soul, and we all will miss him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends, I'm virtually hugging you all from Spain. 

With love in my heart I will remember you. Your 'being', your music, your kindness. You are a pillar in the Stick community which will deeply miss your presence. What remains is your techniques you graciously shared with us, your artistry as a player that will inspire us all and even generations from now. It is with a sad happy heart that I know you are safe, in a great place feeling wonderful. You left this Earth with our love in your heart. And you have left us with your music and your love in our hearts. Be well my friend. Til we meet again.
Your dear friend Don.

A wonderful person. It’s been a blessing to have known Greg, he’ll be in our memory forever. He combined great musicality and human kindness. So sad he had to leave, so special to have spent time with him. Our thoughts are with Joyce and their daughters.

OBITUARY

Greg Howard

July 26, 1964 – April 22, 2023

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