[PERSPECTIVE] [SUCCESS STORIES] [RESUME]
[HISTORY] [EDUCATION] [ITINERARY]
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The concept: Saturday Night Bath Band was created by Bassist/Composer/Vocalist
Howie Rich in 1984, and consists of two bands, one for young and one for older
music.

Cultural performances began with local art festivals, highlighted by opening the
Olympic Arts Festival in 1987, Barnsdall and McGroarty Art Centers and dozens of LA
venues. Concerts for the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department began in
1987. The SNB youth ensemble began working in such clubs as Hop Singhs, Madame
Wongs and Club 88. Our first juvenile hall concert was for “Dodger Day” at Los
Padrinos in 1986, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. We have
given over 400 concerts at local juvenile halls, continuation high schools, and
probation camps throughout the state, connecting directly with more than 13,000
young people. We can also provide an elementary school program called “A Quick
100 Years of Music”, that shows the musical progression from the blues created in
America during slavery times, up to the present. City, County and State
collaborations continue today.

Our high-energy acoustic Dixieland & Swing ensemble plays for senior citizen
centers and festivals. Joining Howie Rich in this ensemble are Delbert Leon Hill and
Charles Owens - clarinets and saxes, Ed Hunton - drums, Al Vescovo - banjo and
guitar, and Mike Hughes – keyboards. Other great musicians complement this band.

The youth band is in it’s 18th year of on-site concerts, visiting as many as 50
continuation high schools and detention facilities each year. We provide vital music
therapy to our young. Lately we give preference to pregnant teen sites. Modern
original Blues, Rock & Roll, Jazz, and Hip-Hop as well as traditional “old-school”
compositions are performed. Joining Howie here are 6 veteran recording and concert
musicians: Jo Alice Braswell – harmonicas, keyboard, and vocals, Kevin Holmes -
guitars and vocals, George Harper or Dave Holland - baritone & tenor sax and flute,
Dennis Evans - congas/percussion, Jim Morris – trombones and vocals, and Mike Tulin
or Markus Brox - drums and vocals. Contemporary influences are emphasized, and
many referrals for arts study are provided. Brief pre-concert art/painting slide show
lectures that add a creative visual element to the program and which correspond to
the music are now included for the indoor shows. For the brave, the opportunity to
join our performance, whether playing and instrument, singing, or rapping is
encouraged. Between songs, band members briefly describe lecture material
including the origins, mechanics, inventor, and famous players of their respective
musical instruments. Students who remember 10 music things win a harmonica
and/or stuffed animal. A copy of our own concise 38-page music handbook and three
written educational prompts are given to all schools. Three 1-page questionnaires
assess our impact. When funding is available, an additional guitar, woodwind, brass,
percussionist, or vocalist is added to the ensemble.