Rick first attended college in his twenties. The local 802 program for professional musicians at Kingsborough College gave him a chance to hone his arranging, composing and orchestration skills. The late seventies saw Rick form a group called "Whapp." This ensemble mixed Zappa influenced intricate music with a humorous theatrical approach. In the Eighties, Rick applied his talents to doing session work, playing guitar on movie scores, and doing jingles. He also performed on recordings by King Sunny Ade, Betty Wright, and Bob Marley, to name a few.

Rick toured the Caribbean extensively with artists such as the Drifters and Chuck Berry, and he has shared the stage with Keith Emerson, Birelli Legrene, Jeff Baxter and others. The last ten years has seen Rick get heavily involved in the jazz and blues scene, performing with his group "The Wolfpack."

Rick Howard is known by his peers to be one of the most diversified and eclectic guitarists on the scene. He plays every musical style with authenticity and taste. Rick considers IGUAZU to be the culmination of all his musical experience and influences. These influences include Kenny Burrell, Larry Carlton, Carlos Santana, Frank Zappa, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, David Gilmour, Alvin Lee, Albert Lee, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Pass.

Rick's main guitars are his Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion II, 1972 Fender Stratocaster, and his Yamaha APX-6n. He uses Evans amps, Boss effects, and D'addario strings.