Featured Performers

Howard McCrary

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Howard McCrary has built a solid reputation as an award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and musician.

Howard toured with The Jacksons, Gladys Knight, and The O'Jays in the 1970s and was nominated for a Grammy for "Best Gospel Performance, Male". Howard featured as a background vocalist on Quincy Jones' best-selling Back on the Block album, sang on records by James Ingram, Curtis Stigers and Andrae Crouch, and arranged vocal parts for the song "Keep the Faith" on Michael Jackson's 1992 multi-platinum set Dangerous. Howard worked with the legendary Chaka Khan in 1993 as keyboardist and musical director, toured with Chaka and appeared with her in Mama, I Want to Sing. He has been involved in session work with Earth, Wind & Fire, Bette Midler, Nina Simone, Diana Ross and Huey Lewis & The News.

Howard worked with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer on the film The Power of One, and has lent his voice to characters in Mighty Joe Young, Hercules, Cats Don't Dance and Once Upon A Forest. Howard has appeared on various TV shows, and he appeared in the Tom Hanks hit "Lady Killers" as well as "Skeleton Key" with Kate Hudson.

Now based in Asia, Howard has worked as a vocal stylist with Seth Riggs. Howard was featured on Michael Wong's debut Big Band CD, "Cool Rhythm" on a moving duet with Michael. As a Hong Kong film debut he performed on the soundtrack of the Chinese movie "Confessions of Pain" and "Happy Funeral". Howard also guest-starred in a short film entered in the "I Shot Hong Kong Film Awards" titled "The Dream of The Butterfly". Howard performed with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Hubert Yan in his first national appearance in China, in 2008. He composed a contemporary piece for the government of Qing Hoi, and in 2009, he composed and performed "Hear my Plea" with the acclaimed Mr. Jose Carreras. Howard is delighted to return to Musical Moments 2009 as musical director.

E-mail: howardmccrary@yahoo.com