An accomplished trumpeter, conductor, and composer, among other musical hats, UK-born Adam Howard loves music through and through. He's had the toes of South African audiences tapping since he first moved to the country in 1997. From kwaito to orchestral styles, Howard's background encompasses a refreshingly diverse range of genres – in fact, he played a pivotal role during the formative years of kwaito in the early 2000s. While South Africa is not his birth country, he's made it his home, and extended his passion for preserving cultural heritage through music to his work here. Howard is happy to admit that "the cliché that 'music is an international language' couldn’t be more true."
In Joburg, Howard's name has become synonymous with the 18-piece Johannesburg Big Band. As conductor of this swing outfit, he's worked with some of his favourite musicians in the country, not least of all as part of the popular Swingin' concert series. He's composed, produced, and performed for local legends in the realms of music and art including Freshly Ground, Hugh Masekela, and William Kentridge. You may have spotted him performing at the kick-off for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. More recently, Howard lent his talents to the 2025 Red Bull Symphonic in Johannesburg. His knack for merging music with storytelling makes his performances especially compelling. When not on stage, he runs two companies, Howard Audio and Howard Events, with his wife Belinda Howard.
Today Howard considers himself a proud South African and an enthusiastic Joburger. We found out what sparked his love for music, where his journey has taken him, and life in the city.
Book your tickets for Swingin’ Las Vegas at The Teatro at Montecasino from Fri, May 16 – Sun, May 25, 2025.
"The trumpet brought me [to Joburg], and this beautiful country and its people keep me here".
Music. What drew you?
All I've ever known is music. From three or four years old, I was singing and making up songs. I drove my parents mad, so they found a local music teacher, and I started piano lessons at seven years old. I am from a small village in Lancashire in the United Kingdom, and nearly every small village in the UK has a local brass band – or two! Hearing that sound made me want to play the trumpet, and by age nine, I was having trumpet lessons. That became my main instrument that I studied throughout school.
You were classically trained in London, then moved to Joburg for a Principal Trumpet position and never left. Tell us more about your journey.
I graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London in 1996 after having studied at the world-renowned Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. I landed a job as principal trumpet player for the Philharmonie Der Nation Orchestra in Germany soon after.
In 1997, I was asked to audition for the same position – principal trumpet player – with the New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra of Pretoria at South African State Theatre. I was awarded the position on a six-month contract, and, well... I renewed that contract eight times – and I realised I didn't want to live anywhere else in the world. South Africa became home to my wife Belinda and I, and over the past 28 years, we have built up a successful music recording studio called Howard Audio, where I compose, direct, and mix music for South Africa's leading brands and artists.
"No one sees the work that goes into daily practice ... but, as I always say, repetition is the mother of skill."
Throughout your career, you've rubbed shoulders with some South African musical greats, the likes of Hugh Masekela, Freshly Ground, and Mafikozolo. What excites you about music in this country?
I've had the pleasure of working with South African legends, and the musicians in South Africa are some of the best in the world. I also love the variety of work and musical genres I get to collaborate on. I truly believe I have a more diverse musical life in South Africa than I would get in, say, London.
Tell us about the time you performed at the kick-off concert for the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
That was a highlight. I performed in a band that played in front of 50,000 people live and over one billion people around the world on television, and I played with the likes of Alicia Keys, John Legend, Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, and more! But the highlight was standing next to my friend, Hugh Masekela (RIP), and playing Grazing In The Grass... I'll never forget that day.
"I realised I didn't want to live anywhere else in the world. South Africa became [my] home."
You travel widely thanks to music. What keeps you interested and inspired?
Travelling and music! I'm very grateful that music has taken me to places around the world that I only dreamed of as a child. From performing on the Great Wall of China to playing on a private game farm in the Kruger, music has been a gift of life.
Tell us about working with the acclaimed Johannesburg Big Band.
Johannesburg Big Band is an 18-piece big band with me as conductor (so I suppose I'm the 19th member). I formed the band in 2011, and we have performed at many public and corporate events. We have been slowly building up our public presence through a concert series at venues such as Carnival City and Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City, but for the past two years we have been performing successful runs of Swingle Bells and Swingin' Las Vegas at The Teatro at Montecasino.
Any advice for young musicians wanting to do something similar? For session musicians to be the stars in a big band is quite an interesting role reversal.
Find your passion, and practice. No one notices the work that goes into daily practice – especially in the early years – but, as I always say, repetition is the mother of skill.
What's something unexpected or underrated about the work that you do?
Nobody sees the hard work of producing a show (and even though I am the conductor, I also produce the show). From the set list to the marketing, Howard Events (the company I own with my wife, Belinda) oversees the whole production. The concert is the easy bit – it's the four months leading up to the first performance when the hard work takes place!
There's a new edition of Swingin' Las Vegas coming up for May 16 – 25, 2025. What are you particularly excited about this time around?
I’m really looking forward to our Céline Dion moment with singer Nádine, who really does sound amazing on Celine Dion songs. We are also paying homage to Elton John (which will be special), as well as some other legends like Lionel Richie, and even Oasis!
What are your top venues for listening to jazz (or live music) in Joburg?
The Teatro at Montecasino. It's the best by far!
Three things you can't live without?
Family, music, and food.
What brought you to Joburg and what makes you stay?
The trumpet brought me here, and this beautiful country and its people keep me here.
"From performing on the Great Wall of China to playing on a private game farm in the Kruger, music has been a gift of life."
Home is...
Johannesburg: the world's best city after Paris. (I must admit, I stole that from William Kentridge...)
What is a surprising thing people might learn about Joburg by having a conversation with you?
If I'm not talking about music, I'm probably talking about golf! There are so many amazing golf courses in Johannesburg – I think people may be surprised by how many there actually are. One of the best I've been to is the exclusive (and hidden!) River Club Golf Course in Sandton.
Your favourite Joburg suburb, and why you choose it?
Fourways – it's my home!
What three things should a visitor not leave Joburg without seeing or experiencing?
Soweto, Cradle of Humankind in Muldersdrift, and Constitution Hill in Braamfontein.
"If you love Joburg, you're a Joburger!"
Your favourite Joburg author or favourite Joburg book?
Hugh Masekela's autobiography, Still Grazing.
One song on your playlist that is either about Joburg or makes you think about this city?
Stimela by Hugh Masekela – a poignant song about our history as a city.
The most memorable meal you have eaten in Joburg?
It's difficult to choose. The wagyu rib-eye from Marble in Rosebank or skop (half a sheepshead) from an Engen garage in Morningside!
If you could buy one Joburg building which would it be?
Turbine Hall in Newtown has always been one of my favourite buildings. It is now an event space (it's so cool!), but if I could buy it, I'd turn it into a big band stage.
If you were Joburg's mayor for one day (average tenure), what would you change?
I'd get 100,000 contractors out there and fix the potholes in 24 hours. Easy, no?
Favourite Joburg label, and why?
Love Jozi.
What makes someone a Joburger?
If you love Joburg, you're a Joburger!
What do you love most about Joburg?
I love being a 15-minute drive from Cradle of Humankind – a world heritage site on our doorstep – and the golf courses.
What do you least like about Joburg?
Right now? Potholes.
"The musicians in South Africa are some of the best in the world."
Your number one tip for a first-time visitor to Joburg?
See everything, especially Soweto. Also, the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off Red Bus is the ideal way to see the city.
Who is one Joburg personality you would honour with the Freedom of the City if you could?
Gary Player and Hugh Masekela!
The perfect weekend in Joburg includes...
Time with my family, a walk at Hennops River, a braai, and a swim in my back garden.
Three words that describe this city.
Colourful, fast-paced, and energetic.
Led by Howard, Swingin' Las Vegas comes to The Teatro at Montecasino from Fri, May 16 – Sun, May 25, 2025. Book your tickets here.
Check out some of our previous #MyJoburg interviews for more insights into the city:
#MyJoburg with Frederico Freschi, UJ's singing dean
#MyJoburg: Marcus Wyatt, pushing boundaries in South African jazz
#MyJoburg with Vicky Ross, cultural entrepreneur
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