Richard Howell brings a lifetime of music shaped by deep experience, collaboration, and a singular artistic vision. Known for his concept of “Bridge Music,” his work moves fluidly across jazz, soul, funk, and global traditions, bringing different musical languages into one shared space.

Over the years, he has performed and recorded with artists including Etta James, Chaka Khan, Don Cherry, and Charlie Haden. As a bandleader, his ensemble Sudden Changes reflects that same openness, both structured and free, rooted in tradition while remaining exploratory.

For this evening at Meyhouse Jazz, Howell presents a program centered on something direct and human: music that lifts the room. Drawing from jazz standards, familiar melodies, and original compositions, the set unfolds with warmth, groove, and a sense of connection, shaped less by concept and more by how it feels in the moment.

He is joined by a distinguished group of musicians: pianist Frank Martin,…