Album Notes

Alfred Howard (lyrics and vocals) - After graduating Boston College, Al spent some time traveling throughout the U.S. and wrote a book about his experiences traveling called the, "Serpentine Highway" (Altered States Press). The book is a collection of poetry and observations from the perspective of a young African-American's life on the road. Accompanying the Book is AH&K23's debut album of the same title. Al has been influenced heavily by many different people throughout his life including; Jazz greats such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane to hip hop artists such as A Tribe called Quest and Mos Def, to classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin and Jane's Addiction.

Steve Craft (drums) - Steve is self taught and has fifteen years experience playing the drums. He has performed locally with countless bands since high school and his eclectic style is influenced by everything from Benny Goodman to Pantera.

Travis Daudert (guitar) - Born and raised in Colorado, Travis has been playing professionally for 14 years. Currently studying classical guitar at Grossmont College, he is responsible for forming the K23 Orchestra. Travis occasionally performs as a classical soloist and with Jazz Combos in and around San Diego.

Jeremy "Bass" Eikam (bass) - Jeremy is a Jazz studies major at San Diego State University. He first picked up the electric bass in High School and the upright bass in 2000. Jeremy has played with several San Diego rock and jazz bands before joining the K23 Orchestra.

Aaron Irwin (percussion) - Aaron holds a Bachelor's Degree in Non-Western Percussion Performance from San Diego State University. Immediately following his graduation, Aaron spent the majority of the summer in Bali, Indonesia, where he taught Ghanaian dance and drum for the Center for World Music, and studied Tingklick and Suling with Pak Made Tripp. Although Ghanaian drumming is one of Aaron's primary focal points, his studies also include Carnatic music of South India, Balinese Gamelan music, Javanese Court music, Shona Mbira music of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, as well as Afro-Cuban music, and Brazilian Samba. In 2003, Aaron appeared on NBC with his newly formed Highlife band, Bolgazohdoomah.

Josh Rice (keyboards) - Josh began playing piano in the 4th grade. He joined his first band right after high school and played locally around San Diego for two and a half years. Josh also attended Grossmont College. In addition to performing with the K23 Orchestra, Josh has a studio in a warehouse in San Diego where he is involved in producing R&B and hip hop tracks.

Alfred Howard & the K23 Orchestra won the San Diego Music Awards for Best Hip Hop Band (2003) and has shared the stage with Ozomatli, Soundtribe Sector 9, Robert Walter's 20th Congress, the Living Legends, the Beat Junkies, Mikah 9, John Brown's Body, OMD, B-Side Players and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. Alfred Howard has sat in with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Umphree's Mcgee, Om Trio and ALO amongst others. He has performed at the 2003 Jane's Addiction New Years Show, has given readings at SDSU and UCSD and has won the UCSD Poetry Slam. He has read his poetry to assemblies at Torrey Pines, Sunset, Valley Center and La Costa Canyon High Schools.