University of Michigan Jazz Faculty are joined by violinist Christian Howes for an improvisation clinic and mini-concert.

The Minneapolis Tribune calls Christian Howes “arguably the most intriguing young violinist in jazz”, while the Chicago Reader says: “Not since Jean-Luc Ponty has a violinist ranged from pure classical to fuzz tone rock to convincing jazz with such authority.” Christian has been awarded the #2 spot in Downbeat magazine’s Critics Poll four times as “Rising Star” jazz violinist.

Following a string of self-produced albums through the ”˜90s, Christian stepped into a larger arena by moving to New York, where he soon became an in-demand figure on the scene. A classically-trained player, he quickly earned a reputation in jazz circles by playing with the likes of trumpeter Randy Brecker, trombonist Steve Turre, guitarist Joel Harrison, pianist D.D. Jackson, saxophonist Greg Osby, drummer Dafnis Prieto, Dave Samuels’ Caribbean Jazz Project, Bill Evans’ Soulgrass, crossover pioneers Spyro Gyra and the legendary guitarist-inventor Les Paul.