The Ohio State Show Band, a commercial ensemble, will perform music from the playlists of Anita Baker and Stevie Wonder, featuring guest artist Quan Howell on vocals. Shawn Wallace, music director.
This concert is free and open to the public. No ticket required.
Quan Howell, a native of Columbus, is the son of Kathy (Howell) Harper and Joseph Thrower. His vocal gift was discovered at age five when be began singing at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where his grandfather, the Rev. J. A. Thrower was the pastor. Encouraged by his family, especially his late aunt Peggy Ann Garner and his Sunday school teacher, Carolyn Holmes, he continued to sing and developed a love for hymns. Managed by his late grandfather, Howell spent his early years singing at local churches and with two local groups, The James Cleveland Youth Chapter and The Allen Family. At age 14, he recorded his first song, "More Like Jesus" with Ernest Carter. At 16, he decided to leave his family church and join Bibleway Church of our Lord Jesus Christ under the pastorship of Bishop Latta. It was there that Howell received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
During his teenage years Howell sang with the Resurrection Mass Choir, The Revival Choir, and with his own group, Quan Howell Family and Friends. He also was the first place winner of several talent shows. He graduated from Linden McKinley High School and Fort Hayes Performing Arts School where he majored in music theory, jazz, piano, and show tunes. Dreaming of a gospel musical career, he moved to Los Angeles only to return to Columbus a year later. He received his first professional break in 1995 when Darlene Furtel heard his demo and gave it to assistant director Billy Steele of the group Sounds of Blackness. During their college tour in Columbus, directors Gary Hines, Billy Steele and other group members encouraged Howell to travel to Minneapolis and audition for famed producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, to become lead vocalist.
As the new lead singer of Sounds of Blackness, Howell and the group recorded several hit songs, "Hold on, Change is Comin,’" "Spirit" and "God Cares." Many opportunities opened up for him to record and do background work with Ann Nesby, Rod Stewart, Johnny Gill, New Edition, Salt ‘n’ Pepa, Kirk Franklin, Tamela Mann and numerous other famous artists. Also, he had the pleasure of recording movie soundtracks for How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Down in the Delta, and The Apostle as well as for acclaimed movie producers Andrew Lloyd Weber and Walt Disney.
Quan Howell's desire to become an independent Christian artist gave birth to another new opportunity. In 2005 he produced his first musical project, Simple Christmas and several more following — Prophetess Taketa Williams' The Table Is Fixed, and his freshman project, Things Will Get Better. He has made numerous television appearances on shows such as BET’s Sunday Best Season 6, Lifetime Network's reality show Preach, TBN’s Praise The Lord and World Harvest’s 120 Live with Pastor Rod Parsley. With so many opportunities, Quan still has the energy and excitement to finish what God has allowed him to do.
All events are subject to change.
Getting Here
Two garage options:
Arps Garage (open to visitors M–F after 4 p.m. and on weekends) — located just north of the Timashev Music building.
- A good choice for events in the Timashev Recital Hall, just inside the north end of the building.
Ohio Union South Garage (open to visitors 24/7) — located just south of the Timashev Music building, next to the Ohio Union.
- A good choice for events in Weigel Auditorium, just inside the south end of the building, across from the Oval.
- The only choice for visitors M–F, before 4 p.m.
Weigel Auditorium is on the second floor, via a staircase in the south lobby.
- The elevator to Weigel Auditorium is in the back hallway, located behind the Music Commons.