The Finnegan-Howell Quintet

The Finnegan Howell Quintet began ten years ago at the Brevard Jazz Institute, where Zachary Finnegan and Markus Howell first met as students. Even then, the musical connection was immediate. A decade later, after building international careers on the world’s biggest stages, the desire to create something together never left.
Forged through shared bandstand experience, long tours, and a deep respect for the tradition, this quintet is the realization of that early vision. Drawing from original compositions, arranged standards from their recording catalogs, and new music written specifically for this moment, the group balances swing, tradition, and modern drive.
Rooted in friendship and sharpened by experience, the Finnegan Howell Quintet delivers music with history not only in jazz tradition, but also in shared life experience.

Trumpet - Zachary Finnegan

Saxophone - Markus Howell

Piano - Roy Dunlap

Bass - TBD

Drums - TBD

Markus Howell is a New York City–based saxophonist whose sound is steeped in swing & soul. A Grammy Award–winning member of the Count Basie Orchestra, he tours internationally with Michael Bublé and appears on Broadway in Just In Time starring Jonathan Groff. Howell has performed with Christian McBride, Rodney Whitaker, Mark Whitfield, Carmen Bradford, Wycliffe Gordon, Dianne Reeves, and others, bringing a powerful presence to every bandstand.
His performances have taken him to Madison Square Garden, the Kennedy Center, the Hollywood Bowl, The Apollo Theater, London’s O2 Arena, Blue Note Tokyo, Birdland, and Dizzy’s Club. A Posi-Tone recording artist, Howell carries forward the language of the masters with conviction along with a modern flair.

Zachary Finnegan is a Chicago-based trumpeter whose sound blends lyricism and deep respect for the jazz tradition. Since joining Michael Bublé’s band in 2022, he has performed on five continents at many of the world’s premier stages including Madison Square Garden, the Metropolitan Opera House, Chicago Symphony Center, London’s O2 Arena, São Paulo’s Allianz Parque, and Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena among many others. His playing has been praised by All About Jazz for its golden tone and exceptional technical command.
Finnegan has appeared on fourteen recordings as a sideman and leader, highlighted by his internationally acclaimed debut album Guidance & Gratitude. His trumpet has been featured with artists and ensembles including KNOWER, Shadmehr Aghili, Clint Breeze and The Groove, the Buddy Rich Big Band, J Grant Experience, Sal Valentinetti, Jared Bradshaw, Sean Allan Krill & many more.
As a bandleader, Finnegan has headlined festivals and leading jazz venues across the United States including the Riverfront Jazz Festival, Bull Falls Jazz Festival as well as venues in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Madison, San Francisco, Austin among many others.