Adam Howard: SA's adopted son who fell in love with the music and never looked back

The Citizen

08-05-2025

Howard is originally from the UK. He arrived in South Africa as a 23-year-old in 1997 and has called South Africa home since.
TKzee's hit song We Love This Place from their 1998 album Halloween best describes Adam Howard's affection for South Africa.
On the chorus, Zwai Bala sings:
The music is playing
and that's why we're saying
We really love this place
Howard is originally from the UK. He arrived in South Africa as a 23-year-old, a year before Halloween was released in 1997, and has called Mzansi home since.
'…I actually realised that I've actually been in South Africa longer than I ever was in the UK,' the 51-year-old Howard tells The Citizen.
He originally came to South Africa to take the position of principal trumpet player of the New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra of Pretoria.
He, music producer and DJ Kelvin Momo, will headline this year's Red Bull Symphonic.
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Howard, the music director
Howard is the music director and conductor of this year's Red Bull Symphonic. Last year, he was the principal trumpet player in the orchestra.
'This year I was approached by Red Bull to conduct a bespoke orchestra, formed especially for this gig,' he says.
Howard will share the stage with the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra and Momo.
'This year my role is twofold; it's the musical director and overseeing the creative vision of Red Bull and Kelvin, turning that into music. But then conducting the orchestra, as myself and Kelvin to try give the audience a few nights not to forget.'
Howard says this is one of his biggest gigs as a musical director. 'I don't say that lightly,' he says.
As a music director, Howard has worked with the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and the Johannesburg Big Band, which hosts some of the country's top session musicians.
He directed music for cultural milestones like William Kentridge's Refuse The Hour and works with brands on campaigns.
Howard has shared the stage with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Mstislav Rostropovich, Hakan Hardenberger, Lebo M, PJ Morton (Maroon 5), Lira and Freshly Ground.
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An orchestra reimagined
During the first Red Bull Symphonic event last year, which featured Kabza De Small, Ofentse Pitse, and the Symphonic Orchestra, Howard got up from the orchestra with a trumpet in hand, walked past Kabza, and the conductor went to the front of the stage to blow his horn.
Many were pleasantly surprised to see a middle-aged white man take such initiative.
'It was to show the audience that an orchestra can be reimagined. Why can't a player get up and do a solo?' Howard says nonchalantly.
Ironically, Howard began working with Bala, and then he was naturally embedded into South Africa's pop culture.
'One of the first gigs I did was with Zwai Bala, and [I] slowly became the musical director of the Bala Brothers,' he shares.
Howard worked extensively with artists from Kalawa Jazmee, particularly the kwaito duo of Oskido and Bruce 'Dope' Sebitlo, who were known as Brothers of Peace (B.O.P).
He has worked with other Kwaito artists between the 90s and the mid-2000s.
'Actually, Kwaito turned me into a session musician. Because through playing with Brothers Of Peace, Kabelo Mabalane saw me play, and then Themba Mkhize saw me play…'
Beyond Kwaito, he has shared the stage with Hugh Masekela and Joyous Celebration.
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Collaborative Howard
Collaboration is at the core of the Red Bull Symphonic, and it's evident from Howard's career that he is able to work with different kinds of people.
'I think my career has been so long and so fruitful because of my collaboration. Having one foot in a very classical world – I come from a classical upbringing,' he says.
After studying in England at the renowned Chetham's School of Music and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Howard was immediately appointed Principal Trumpet of the Philharmonie der Nationen in Germany at the age of 23.
He then took up the Principal Trumpet position of Pretoria's New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra.
Howard later took on the same role with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, establishing himself as one of South Africa's most respected musicians. He has since played with every orchestra in South Africa.
'…but then, you know, literally 25 years ago I went from playing with an orchestra, and a few hours later I'm in a club with Brother Of Peace somewhere – it could've been anywhere; I can't really remember those days well,' shares Howard.
He epitomises the role of a musical director who is able to bring different elements together.
The Symphonic is due to take place over two nights – 06 and 07 June – at The Teatro, Montecasino, where Momo's private school Amapiano and Howard's classical orchestration come together.
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