Join us at Temple Isaiah to watch rising trombonist, composer, and educator Eli Howell arrives on the international jazz scene with his electrifying debut album, Steps Taken, scheduled for release on April 3, 2026. A Los Angeles native and Michigan State University alumnus, Howell’s artistry was forged through significant adversity, including a year-long recovery from focal dystonia and a literal tornado that struck his recording studio overnight. These challenges infused the record with a raw, "all-in-one-room" energy that captures his journey from uncertainty to a renewed joy in playing. The album features a prestigious cast of mentors and Grammy-winning musicians, including Brian Lynch, Sharel Cassity, and Wycliffe Gordon. 

From reimagined silent-film-era tributes to complex modern arrangements, the music reflects Howell’s deep roots in the jazz tradition and his research into trombone legends. Ultimately, Steps Taken stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of a young musician sharpened by hardship and elevated by his community.