Howard began on drums at about age fourteen, but switched to cornet and then trumpet after playing with Chris Kelly.
[3] In 1946, he led the Original Zenith Brass Band, but played only locally for the next few years.
His later recordings with Lewis are uneven because he was battling with alcoholism, which interfered with his abilities as a soloist.
[3] He fell ill in 1961 and left Lewis's band, and upon his recovery he led his own band from 1961 to 1965 and recorded several times; these recordings were also highly praised.
[4] He continued to play in New Orleans at Preservation Hall and other venues up until his death of a brain hemorrhage in 1966.