Howard and Point 5 return to downtown

By Guy D’Astolfo

YOUNGSTOWN — Howard and the Point 5 Band plays gigs almost every night of the week, but it’s been a while since the band has performed downtown.

That changes Friday night, when the R&B/soul/jazz ensemble hits the stage at the new Lemon Grove, 122 W. Federal St.

The band’s last visit downtown was a year ago at the neighboring Rosetta Stone.

Band leader J.L. Howard, a Youngstown native, handles lead vocals and keyboards. He performed at The Apollo Theater in New York in 2006. Two busloads of Youngstown fans followed him to cheer him on in the talent competition.

Howard also shared the stage with Dennis Edwards and the Temptations during a show a few years ago at The Tangier in Akron, and worked with James Brown when the late soul star performed at Powers Auditorium in 2003.

Howard’s musical inspiration goes back to old-schoolers such as Donnie Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder. “I cover a lot of Stevie Wonder’s material,” he said, explaining that his vocal range is similar.

He’s currently working on a solo CD that will be released later this year (check myspace.com/jlhowardneosoul).

The Point 5 Band has been around for a good two decades, but the current lineup has been together only for a couple of years.

The band is rounded out by Dave Taylor, saxophone; Ray Janecko, guitar; Calvin Mitchell, drums; and Alonzo Smith, bass.

The Point 5 Band has a weekly gig at Five Points Wine and Bar in Poland, but the similarity in names is purely coincidental; the Point 5 Band has been around a lot longer than the drinking establishment.

As for the Lemon Grove show, Howard said he’ll read the crowd and deliver whatever will make those in attendance feel good.

In keeping with the Grove’s ambience, he plans to deliver a relaxing set marked by diversity. “I’ll play music from different eras, everything from the ’60s to the present,” he said. A medley of Michael Jackson songs will also be in the mix.

“Expect soulful music that you can feel,” he said.

Sax player Taylor put it another way: “We’ll start with kindling and then a nice, even burn. It’ll then be smoky for a while. Then we’re going to add some wood to the fire.By the time we finish, the roof will be on fire.”

Friday’s show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $3.