Musician facing health crisis
Howard’s family seeks financial aid
One of Columbus’ best-known musicians, trumpet player Arnett Howard, suffered a serious health scare recently, and his family has started a fundraising effort to help with hospital expenses.
Howard, 70, had a “health emergency” on Oct. 16, said Kevin Howard, one of Arnett’s three brothers.
The cause is still unknown, but it landed him in intensive care at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center for several days. “First they thought it was a stroke, then a seizure, and now they think it might be circulation-related, something with his aorta,” Howard said.
He said his brother was released from the hospital on Tuesday and is in a rehabilitation center.
He still faces surgery.
Arnett Howard was a prolific performer in the Columbus area for more than 50 years, part of that time with his Creole Funk Band and more recently with Arnett and Friends.
In 2016, he told The Dispatch he had performed more than 5,000 shows. He had a particular affinity for playing at schools and for children. Kevin Howard said a muscular degeneration disease forced Arnett to retire in 2019.
Like many full-time musicians, he did not have much in the way of retirement savings; he is on Medicare, Kevin said. A Gofundme effort set up earlier this week seeks $200,000 for hospital bills and anticipated long-term medical expenses. “Arnett must have a lot of friends in Columbus, based on all the comments I have seen on the GoFundme page,” said Kevin Howard, who lives in Seattle.
“I see so many encouraging words. Somehow it seems Arnett has touched many lives.” kgordon@dispatch.com @kgdispatch
“First they thought it was a stroke, then a seizure, and now they think it might be circulation-related, something with his aorta.” Kevin Howard, Arnett Howard’s brother