5-Piece Band: Lead vocal, keyboard/vocal, saxophone, bass, and drums.
Noel Freidline and Maria Howell define chemistry. Musically they breathe as one, communicating almost telepathically as they explore and re-interpret some of the best music of the last 80 years. Always approaching the music from “the left,” Noel and Maria have made a name for themselves as they offer listeners something they have heard, but that they have never heard before. Combine this fresh musical approach with a rapport and witty banter that harkens back to a bygone era, and you have Noel and Maria in their element: on stage, thrilling an audience at every turn.
Noel & Maria have developed an entire series of Jazz Celebration themed shows, including “Catching Some Rays: A Jazz Celebration of Ray Charles” “Signed, Sealed, delivered: A Jazz Celebration of Stevie Wonder” “Motown Re-Imagined: A Jazz Celebration of Motown” and many more.
MARIA HOWELL – Vocalist, Actress, Educator
AS AN ACTOR, Maria Howell began her career as the choir soloist in the Oscar Nominated the Color Purple and has since appeared in hit TV shows such as Lifetime’s, Army Wives, Marc Cherry’s Devious Maids, Eric Kripke and J.J. Abrams’ apocalyptic Revolution and Aquarius starring X-Files’ David Duchovny, both on NBC. She also guest starred on CBS’s Criminal Minds and The Resident. She had a recurring role in Bounce TV’s Saints & Sinners for 3 seasons as Lt. Hawkins.
Some theatrical credits include The Blind Side, Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Seeder), Christmas Wedding Baby (Miranda) by Award-Winning Writer/Director Kiara C. Jones, Ms. Sumner and voice-over in the Oscar nominated Hidden Figures, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Christmas Love Story starring Kristin Chenoweth, Hallmark Mahogany movie To Her, With Love, and Summer Camp starring Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, and Diane Keaton.
A SONG STYLIST in her own right, Maria has shared the musical stage with such legendary artists as Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles and Earl Klugh. After a very successful 6-year stint in Asia, Maria relocated back to the U.S. and performed at Sambuca Jazz Café for 9 consecutive years…2002 to its closing in December 2010. She and pianist Bill Wilson (son of legendary jazz pianist Teddy Wilson) held the distinction of being the longest running act at the Atlanta location. Since then, she resides bi-coastal, performing at well-known jazz/supper clubs and festivals across the U.S.
AS A VOICEOVER ARTIST, Maria lends her voice to numerous TV and radio commercials, animation, video games, and audiobook narrations.
Maria is not only an actor and singer, but a very devoted supporter and Advisory Board Member of several charities, (Students Without Mothers, The James M. Dixon Foundation, Tosco Music, and Ava’s Heart)
NOEL FREIDLINE – Pianist, Vocalist, Arranger, Educator
Noel Freidline has been the leader of his own group since 1991, recording 9 albums, and performing at numerous jazz festivals, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the Bethlehem Musikfest, and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He and his band spent three years as a house band at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Noel is also the Artistic Director of several concert series, including Baker and Baker Presents at the Columbia (SC) Musuem of Art; Noel Freidline and Friends Jazz Series in Jacksonville, FL; and the NorthStone Music Series, Cornelius, NC. Freidline and his band are considered the signature band at the internationally recognized Jazz Corner, Hilton Head, SC.
Noel was named Best Jazz Musician by Charlotte Magazine, named Best Musical Director by the Metrolina Theatre Association of the Carolinas, and chosen for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Association Center Stage Award. In May 2015 Freidline was inducted into the Jacksonville Jazz Hall of Fame.
Noel has performed with jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, actor/vocalist Keith David (The Thing, Platoon, Greenleaf), Frederic Yonnet (Stevie Wonder, Dave Chappelle), jazz vocalist Dee Daniels, jazz vocalist Teri Thornton and lyricist Tim Rice (Evita, The Lion King). Freidline has opened for such diverse artists as Tony Bennett, David Sanborn, Kenny G, Rosemary Clooney, Dave Brubeck, Layla Hathaway, Roy Ayers, and Jennifer Holliday. Noel has played keys for a diverse number of touring Broadway shows, including Jersey Boys, The Band’s Visit, Bring It On, Dream Girls, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, White Christmas, and Wicked.
As a composer and arranger, Noel has written and recorded music for ESPN, ABC and the Walt Disney Company, with his most recent work being featured on Monday Night Football, the NBA All-Star Game, and SportsCenter.
Noel’s teaching experience includes 15 years at UNC Charlotte as well as 12 years at Davidson Day School.
