This project has been named, "Word(s) Up". Its a play on words, based on a common slang, "Word up". The book, "The Trees" by Percival Everett, is the main inspiration in that, several musical compositions are directly influenced by this literary masterpiece. Contemporary US news..mass shootings, demonstrations, civil unrest as well as the Country's historically unresolved racial issues are all addressed in the Everett novel. As I am right now physically beyond the boundaries of these demonstrations, sit ins and participate in other forms of civil unrest, as a musician I am able to voice my opinions through my most available medium, my music. (Howard Curtis)

Howard Curtis, born and currently residing in Williamsburg, Virginia, has enjoyed a multifaceted career as a jazz drummer, multiple percussionist, and educator for 35 years. Curtis has performed at the Hampton Jazz Festival, The Hilton Head Jazz Festival (South Carolina), and the D.C. Free Jazz Festival. He performed and/or recorded with John Abercrombie, David "Fathead" Newman, Andrew White, Billy Harper, Rosemary Clooney, Lionel Hampton, Gary Thomas (his recording on JMT released in fall 1997), Johnny Coles, Andrew White, David Liebman (Joy on Candid received 4 1/2 stars in Down Beat magazine), Amiri Baraka, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, John Dearth (One Bright Glance on Enja), Jon Faddis, Mark Murphy, Joe Kennedy, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Barry Harris, George Coleman, Buck Hill, Marc Johnson, Ernie Andrews, Oliver Lake, Odean Pope, Julius Hemphill, James Carter, Kenny Rankin, and Ellis Marsalis. "Pop gigs" include stints with The Temptations, The Platters, John Abercrombie, Eddie Gomez, Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander, Jay Clayton, Rene Marie, Carla Cook, Joel Ross, Tom Browne, Bruce Barth, Christian McBride . Special interest concerts have taken Curtis to Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), Georgia State University (Atlanta, Georgia), University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia), The Knitting Factory and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (both in New York). Northsea Jazz Festival, La Villette Festival and Konsberg Jazz Festival in Norway.