Some people may describe the music of Howard Cowles as "New Age." To a degree, that would be true, but it would also leave far too much out of the picture to be accurate. Howard began playing piano almost as soon as he could sit up at the bench, and having now passed 50, his lifelong love of the instrument has brought a myriad of styles and influences to bear in both his playing style and his repertoire.

There are strong classical influences that permeate his music, especially from the Romantic and Impressionist periods. Timeless masters from the Great American Songbook -- names like George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and others -- add their influence to Howard's playing and writing. Then you will find nuances and threads of Stan Getz, Dave Brubeck, Bob James and other jazz greats in the music of Howard Cowles. Add the flashy arpeggios, glissandos and portamentos, marcatos and diminuendos of power players like Roger Williams, Ferrante and Teicher, and others, into Howard's musical mixing bowl. Throw in a tip of the hat to pop songwriters like Elton John, Billy Joel, Randy Newman and others, and you are beginning to arrive at some of what goes into the playing and composing of Howard Cowles.

Howard has spent a lifetime pursuing his love of the instrument that has been a part of his life from the time that he learned to sit and practice as a child. Today, he still practices hours a day and his friends would tell you that anytime you call, both day or night, the chances are great he will answer the call while continuing to practice as he talks with you. His dedication to the piano and to his music has never slowed down and it is this dedication, experience and degree of mastery of his instrument that makes the music of Howard Cowles so expressive, emotionally rich and multi-facted.

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