Howard Audio is thrilled to see two projects we worked on last year make the winners list at this year's Creative Circle Awards in both the Film and Radio categories. Interesting that both pieces of music has a flugel horn as the featured solo instrument played by Adam Howard (blowing his own trumpet again!), but especially as this was the instrument of choice of Bra Hugh Masekela - the legend that the radio campaign (that also picked up a Cannes Silver Lion) was a tribute to. The Radio spot was recorded at Rob Roy studios for agency Havas Worldwide. 16 Apr 2019Read more
The easiest way to understand the strong bond between brand and music is by example, so Howard Audio recently took the marketing media through the evolution of the MAQ washing powder campaign music brand mnemonic, succinctly demonstrating its effectiveness. 17 Jan 2019Read more
Join Joseph Clark and The Johannesburg Big Band for one show only at Sun Arena, Time Square, Pretoria, on Sunday, 23 September 2018. 14 Sep 2018Read more
Well done to all the winners at this year's Loeries Awards - a celebration of the best creative talent in our advertising profession. 27 Aug 2018Read more
It's been a very busy few weeks at Howard Audio. Recently, we picked up a few awards for our work that we'd like to share with you. 24 Jul 2018Read more
Howard Audio was commissioned by agency King James II to compose the music for the latest Allan Gray campaign, flighting on TV, radio and cinema. 22 May 2018Read more
Congratulations to Swing City on being nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album for the upcoming 2018 SAMAs (South African Music Awards). 11 May 2018Read more
Bra Hugh Masekela passed away on 23 January 2018, surrounded by loved ones. Our thoughts are with the Masekela family at this time. 1 Feb 2018Read more
MTN's "Nightshift" commercial picked up both Gold and Silver Loeries at this year's awards. The Gold was for "best use of licensed music". Adam Howard was tasked with re-recording The Commodore's "Nightshift" for the commercial, which has been viewed more than 3.7 million times on YouTube. 25 Aug 2017Read more
Howard Audio was recently commissioned by Boomtown to compose a big band swing piece for Woodlands Dairy's new TV campaign for its product, First Choice “It's All Good”. 31 Jul 2017Read more
Adam Howard (owner of Howard Audio) has just returned from his 12th tour as musical director for Refuse The Hour, the chamber opera companion to William Kentridge's five-channel video installation, The Refusal of Time. Created with Harvard physicist Peter Galison, the installation is a meditation on different historical conceptions of time and the complex legacies of colonialism and industry. 20 Jul 2017Read more
Howard Audio is thrilled to announce that our work has recently been recognised at international awards - at The One Show Awards and the D&AD Awards. 26 May 2017Read more
Last week, SA was responsible for 42 wins at the One Show 2017: six bronze, one silver, and one gold pencil, as well as 10 merit awards, with 10th spot in the country rankings. I spoke to some of the people responsible for this winning work behind the scenes. Next up is Adam Howard, owner of Howard Audio. 18 May 2017Read more
Howard Audio has been kept very busy lately - with a series of calls for re-records of classic music tracks. You may have heard our stylings in the MTN ‘Marvin' commercial that has had over 3.4 million hits on Youtube! It's a tough act to follow, but we only have ourselves to blame! 17 May 2017Read more
It gives us "sheer" pleasure to announce that Howard Audio has once again been selected to compose, arrange and mix BMW's forthcoming radio series. Driven by local agency, OpenCo, the campaign features four differently themed tracks. The music is composed to reflect the brand's international tone - a fusion of traditional orchestral music over contemporary rhythm tracks. We're thrilled BMW has once again trusted us not only to compose the original music - but also to look after the final mix going further this year. 25 Apr 2017Read more
Saatchi & Saatchi commissioned Howard Audio to compose an original music track for Samsung's new TVC, “A Way of Life”. The brief was to echo the poetic cadences of the campaign's message. We scored a simple piano track, underpinned with rising strings and soaring to a triumphant yet contained climax. The music worked so well for Samsung that they have extended its reach to be used across other campaigns and media. Howard Audio was also responsible for the final mix. 30 Mar 2017Read more
With more than 3.4 million hits in just two months, MTN's #MyNightshift has taken the internet by storm. Howard Audio recreated and reworked the Commodores classic hit and we're delighted to say that the commercial has won first prize in the Creative Circle Awards for November 2016 in the Television, Video & Cinema category. 7 Feb 2017Read more
It's a brand-new year and Howard Audio has hit the ground running with a slew of productions under our belt, and what better way to celebrate 2017 than with our first award of the year! The MTN “Nightshift” commercial for which we were responsible for re-creating the Commodores classic hit, was awarded the monthly “best of reel” from iDidtht for December. A huge shout-out to all involved; Director Teboho Mahlatsi from Bomb Commercials, MOI content for all the VFX post production, Upstairs Ludus for the off-line edit and the amazing creative team from Metropolitan Republic. Not forgetting the talented musicians who made the track a hit - And our track's vocal hero, Timothy Moloi, our very own homegrown “Marvin”. 18 Jan 2017Read more
Howard Audio would like to wish all our friends, clients and colleagues a very happy festive period. 2016 has been an amazing year for us - and we couldn't have done it without your support. So, we composed a little Christmas jingle for you, featuring one of our favourite session singers, Veronique Lalouette, and guitarist Ray Green on banjo! Oh, and Adam Howard on spoons, naturally. 19 Dec 2016Read more
The Johannesburg Big Band recently recorded a Christmas TV special for M-Net (channel 101 on DStv) - billed to air on Christmas Day at 5.30pm. The show is called M-Net and Friends, and the stars of the show are Swing City - SA's very own "Rat Pack"! Swing City is Loyiso Bala, Nathan Ro and Graeme Watkins, and they will delight audiences with their signature brand of jazz, swing and blues with a distinct modern twist. 12 Dec 2016Read more
Howard Audio pulled a few all-nighters during our new project for MTN. We were tasked with reproducing an exact copy and re-record of The Commodore's "Night Shift" for their latest TV commercial, directed by Teboho Mahlatsi from The Bomb Commercials. 24 Nov 2016Read more
Swimming is the great South African pastime. So, when The Old Shanghai Firecracker Factory commissioned us to create the soundtrack for their latest HTH commercial, we jumped at the chance. 9 Nov 2016Read more
Howard Audio gets people talking with our latest TV commercial score for MTN Africa. Metropolitan Republic briefed us to compose a cinematic piece to echo the visuals - a story of "always being together" when you use MTN. 1 Nov 2016Read more
Howard Audio is thrilled to announce that Adam Howard has once again been nominated for two awards at this year's Wawela Awards - to be held in JHB on 7 October. The awards are for "best music in a TV commercial" and "best music in a radio commercial". 9 Sep 2016Read more
We were thrilled to have our name on 21 shortlisted finalists this year. Congratulations to all our clients and colleagues who walked away with birds this year, and a special mention to our clients whom we worked with on their winning campaigns! 30 Aug 2016Read more
It's The Loeries weekend! And we're thrilled that Howard Audio's name appears on 21 shortlisted finalists entries this year. We'd like to congratulate and wish the very best to all the finalists this year. Our work has been recognised in many facets of our business - from final mix and original music for Radio - to musical direction and post production on some great TV and online commercials. Here's a few examples of our work that has made the finals. 22 Aug 2016Read more
Agency Havas Worldwide recently commissioned Howard Audio to compose the original music for a TV campaign for "Mzansi For Science"... 19 Aug 2016Read more
We've always had a thing for dogs. We've even made up kid's stories starring them as musical creatures. So when McCann Creative Director Jacqui Mendleson approached us to help raise awareness for Zoetis, we leapt at the chance to make a difference. 22 Jul 2016Read more
The new brand campaign for leading vehicle telematics and tracking company Tracker, conceptualised by House of Brave, uses beautifully crafted storytelling to successfully reposition the brand in an altruistic space, moving its focus from pure stolen vehicle recovery to a provider of proactive value to its partners and customers. 10 Jun 2016Read more
OpenCo recently commissioned Howard Audio to compose the original music for BMW's latest radio campaign. True to BMW's passion for innovation and authenticity, rather than go down the library music route, they wanted to have bespoke music composed. 8 Jun 2016Read more
Howard Audio was recently commissioned by South African Tourism and agency Ireland-Davenport to compose original music for a campaign for SAT called "SA Stories". Four vignettes were created, comprising four groups, who were filmed on their first ever holiday in their own country. 10 Dec 2015Read more
Come and listen to the sounds of The Johannesburg Big Band - a 17-piece jazz ensemble Adam Howard founded five years ago. See and hear the Johannesburg Big Band as you've never experienced before - At The Movies! 13 Nov 2015Read more
Howard Audio has had the privilege of composing many scores for South African Tourism over the years. Through this relationship with the SAT brand, we were recently approached by Fox International and National Geographic, to commission us to score the music for their "Through The Lens" project, a collection of short films, shot by National Geographic photographers - of their experience in South Africa. The photographer involved in the film we composed to is Jimmy Chin. 11 Nov 2015Read more
The Loeries have come and gone, but the music lingers on. Howard Audio walked away with their name on two Silver Loeries this year. 22 Sep 2015Read more
Howard Audio is on air in Mauritius! We've just wrapped the post-prod with Velocity Afrika, Cread + FCB Mauritius as composers of the original music track for telecommunications company - Emtel. 1 Jul 2015Read more
Howard Audio has always answered musical briefs from many quarters. From musical direction for William Kentridge's global performances to children's nursery rhyme arrangements for YoTV, we embrace music in all its forms. 22 Jun 2015Read more
Howard Audio is fast growing into our brand-new three-studio complex at the Ministry of Illusion. This is borne out by our name change and new corporate image. It's a small word change which translates into Howard Audio offering a full spectrum of audio and music services, from album recordings and original music, to final mix TV commercials and radio campaigns. Original music has kept us very busy over the past few weeks... here is some of our latest work. 28 Apr 2015Read more
Adam Howard will be joining William Kentridge on stage for the South African premier of the artist's multi-media stage opera, Refuse the Hour, during a series of performances and lectures at the 2015 Design Indaba Festival, taking place in Cape Town this week. 24 Feb 2015Read more
Three original scores from Howard Music provided the emotive finishing touches to a series of TV commercials for 1Life Insurance, celebrating the triumph of the human heart. 25 Nov 2014Read more
Howard Music recently scored the music to the latest Dion Wired TVC - named "The Visitor". The commercial was conceptualised by agency - Ireland Davenport and was shot by director Slim of Egg Films. 5 Sep 2014Read more
Join the Johannesburg Big Band and two of South Africa's finest vocal talents in a scintillating celebration of the classic big band sound in My Favourite Swings at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City on Saturday, 2 August at 8pm. 7 Jul 2014Read more
Some claim that if you've seen one tourism brand video you've seen them all, especially since every major destination wants us to think that their country is the most beautiful place in the world. 26 Jun 2014Read more
When Paul Warner, co-founder and partner at Metropolitan Republic, strolled into the Howard Music studio not armed with the unusually comprehensive brief as usual, but this time a beautiful true story, Adam had no idea how close to home this project would really hit... 27 Feb 2014Read more
Join Melrose Arch this December for craft beers, big band swing and all that jazz. Enjoy the Rhythm and Brews festival over two days in the Melrose Arch Precinct featuring a range of craft beers and live music. 3 Dec 2013Read more
There is only one place to celebrate the festive season in Johannesburg and that's enjoying Swingin' Christmas at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City on Saturday 30 November at 8pm for one night only. 20 Nov 2013Read more
There is only one place to celebrate the festive season in Johannesburg and that's enjoying Swingin' Christmas at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City on Saturday, 30 November, at 8pm for one night only. 12 Nov 2013Read more
Agency Ireland/Davenport commissioned Adam Howard to come up with some compelling travel tunes for SA Tourism's latest TV campaign: "Nothing's more fun than a sho't left". The TV spots feature the highly contagious all-singing, all-smiling, all-star talents of Dr. Malinga, and friends, as they dance, slide, paddle and twerk* their way through the best of Joburg, PE, Durban and Cape Town. The spots were conceived by CD Vanessa Klevansky, Art Director Gareth O'Callaghan and copywriter Stuart Sims. Egg Films' Sunu (back in SA after 7 years working in Holywood) shot the action-packed spots. 18 Oct 2013Read more
Just back from a European tour as musical director for Willam Kentridge's multi-media, avant-garde chamber opera - "Refuse The Hour," and standing in as MD for SABC's "Strictly Come Dancing," Adam Howard is back in the driving seat at Ministry Of Illusion, and recently served up a double barrel of lip-smacking soundtracks for the latest Ocean Basket TVC's. 6 Sep 2013Read more
Howard Music is proud to announce that Adam has just returned from a very hot Europe as musical director for Willam Kentridge's hit production "Refuse The Hour". The piece opened for five performances at the Quartier D'ete festival in Paris and concluded with three exclusive performances at the Impulstanz Dance Festival in Vienna at the beginning of August. The multi-media "avant-garde chamber opera" actually features Kentridge on-stage - giving a series of "lectures" on time, space and everything in-between! 20 Aug 2013Read more
House Of Brave recently commissioned Adam to compose a trio of beautifully shot TVC's for 1Life. Far from quirky jingles and swinging big band tunes, each commercial called for its own authentic orchestral sound in permutations of 2 minutes and 30 second TVC's. 14 Aug 2013Read more
Howard Music is proud to announce that Adam is back in the driving seat at Ministry of Illusion and spinning tunes like there's no...loading...loading...no internet, maybe tomorrow. In between waxing the final mix for Ministry Of Illusion and playing musical director for the 2012 Toyota Car Dealer Of The Year Awards, this is just a taste of what Adam has been up to. 13 Jun 2013Read more
Adam Howard has just returned from Cape Town, where he not only enjoyed some fresh mussels from the sea, but also pulled off one of the biggest musical events in Toyota's calendar, ek sê! 7 May 2013Read more
Although 2012 may stick out as the year of Zuma's painted privates, around here, MMXII will always be remember as the year that Howard Music truly went global. After a hectic few (dozen) months on the road as William Kentridge's Musical Director, Adam still somehow managed to produce a string of classy TV and Radio commercials here in SA. 3 Apr 2013Read more
Adam Howard has just returned to South Africa from Rome and Greece as Musical Director for William Kentridge's world tour of "Refuse the Hour." This is the third leg of a tour which debuted at the Amsterdam Festival in June, went on to the Avignon Theatre Festival in July, and now just back from Rome and Athens. The piece will continue to entrance audiences across the globe over the next few years. 11 Dec 2012Read more
The Johannesburg Big Band is a collection of the finest jazz and session musicians in South Africa. Formed in 2011 and run by its Musical Director - Adam Howard through his company - Howard Music, they have already performed at many functions, including a sold out performance for the 702 "Easter Celebration" at Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. 15 Oct 2012Read more
When Rob Malpage from Frieze Films rolled into the Howard Music studio with grills chanting: "Heita what up deejay", Adam immediately knew something big was about to drop. It was only when rising hip hop star AKA showed up, busting rhymes, that the blingy penny finally dropped! 27 Sep 2012Read more
Hot on the heels of several sold-out performances as William Kentridge's Musical Director at the Avignon festival in France, Adam Howard is back in the driving seat at the Ministry Of Illusion and scoring up a storm for Brand South Africa and Publicis. 28 Aug 2012Read more
Howard Music is proud to announce that Adam has just concluded a series of sold-out performances at the Frascati Theatre in Amsterdam, as the musical director for William Kentridge's latest breathtaking multi-media performance piece - Refuse The Hour. 2 Aug 2012Read more
HOWARDy Partners! While the world's been anxiously awaiting that end of January pay cheque, Howard Music has kicked in the new year with a foot-tapping, knee-slapping, bluegrass bang! See how Engen filled up at Howard Music... 9 Feb 2012Read more
The festive season is once again upon us and Howard Music is proud to announce that we did more than jingle a few bells at the Loeries this year, we were the official audio post production facilty. Our new website is clocking hits, and while everyone else is looking forward to some well deserved down time, Adam is hard at work convincing Santa that it's high time for a musical makeover! Here's what Howard Music has been up to: 8 Dec 2011Read more
Metropolitan Republic briefed Adam to reach into the abyss and return with a light and melodic score for MTN's latest animated TVC. The spot was masterfully crafted by Wicked Pixels. 24 Nov 2011Read more
a) He's been practising Beethoven's Violin Concerto backwards on his trumpet?
b) While scoring a science fiction film he got sucked into a wormhole and spent the last year trying to get back to the year 2011.
c) He got so wrapped up in conducting orchestras, directing music for huge events and composing award winning tunes for commercials that he just never got around to it. UNTIL NOW! 2 Nov 2011Read more
Volcano Advertising recently connected with Howard Music to compose the music for the Altech Autopage Cellular "Connecting you to more" TVC campaign. 12 Dec 2010Read more
Spring has arrived, and we've been kept very busy here at Howard Music: original composition on two TVC's, lots of final mix for Ministry Of Illusion and Musical Direction for an upcoming event for Blue Moon... 4 Oct 2010Read more
Howard Music was commissioned by agency Leo Burnett to compose the original music for the massive SABC campaign "FEEL IT. It is here". The brief was to create a memorable track, embodying all the excitement of The South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup™. 14 Jun 2010Read more
The new VW Polo Vivo was unveiled recently at Sun City. The night was a musical extravaganza, and featured international acts Kelly Clarkson and Westlife, with performances by local acts - The Parlotones, Freshlyground, TKZee, Soweto Gospel Choir and Big Nuz. Adam Howard was Musical Director for the event, and conducted the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. 26 Apr 2010Read more
This specific ad, “Remember”, is the first Sepedi commercial ever to be flighted on television! The ad takes the target audience on a journey down memory lane, referencing some of the most memorable hairstyles from the 80's with their vernacular slang names. 12 Apr 2010Read more
Adam Howard recently completed the original score for the latest Fiat TVC. Agency was Leo-Burnett, and production house Star Productions. Animation and post was completed at Ministry Of Illusion, home to Howard Music... 6 Apr 2010Read more
Adam Howard is in high demand as Musical Director and Conductor for a host of prestigious corporate events in South Africa over the exhilarating 2010 period. 5 Mar 2010Read more
Adam Howard of Howard Music recently composed the music for an AV to be played before the South African premiere of Invictus, the new film directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. 25 Jan 2010Read more
Adam Howard of Howard Music recently completed the audio final mix of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final draw. Ministry Of Illusion, where Howard Music is based, was commissioned by George Mazarakis of Combined Artists to conceptualise and generate graphics for the event that took place in Cape Town on 4th December 2009. 18 Jan 2010Read more
Metropolitan Republic recently launched a new series of FNB television commercials. Adam Howard of Howard Music was commissioned to compose the original music for the spots. 23 Nov 2009Read more
Howard Music recently completed full orchestral arrangements of Mbongeni Ngema's music for the launch of the new R15-million music facility - KZN Music House. 16 Oct 2009Read more
TKZee's long-awaited album “Coming Home” was recently completed at Howard Music. A final mix at Ministry Of Illusion and performances on Malaika and KB's new albums were also done here this month. Oh, and a six-month-old daughter! Phew! Spring is here in full force at Howard Music! 18 Sep 2009Read more
The latest TV campaign for Peugeot is one of the many jobs Howard Music has been busy with lately. Also recently completed for Saatchi & Saatchi was original music for a Pampers “Way fit” TVC to be used in Nigeria and Ghana. Y&R has also had music composed for a Nutriday TVC... 6 Jul 2009Read more
From the soundtrack of a Nigerian TVC to a killer track for Smoothies on local youth radio and in studio with Steve Hofmeyr, Howard Music is rocking the airwaves around the continent... 28 Apr 2009Read more
It's been a busy year end at Howard Music. Adam has just finished composing music for Metropolitan Republic for their “We shall overcome” World AIDS Day radio campaign. 15 Dec 2008Read more
Adam Howard was recently invited to do the musical direction for the Manchester United Gala Banquet dinner at Emperor's Palace. Adam arranged the music and conducted the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra for this prestigious function at which the Bala Brothers lent their voices. 28 Oct 2008Read more
Howard Music went live for business this week at the West Studio - Ministry of Illusion, Bryanston, JHB. Offering a broad range of services which include original composition, arranging, musical direction, music search and stripe, final mix, audio to picture stripe and more, the investment of our time and money in the new premises and gear has already begun paying off. Recent work includes the latest Berocca TVC for JWT. 26 Aug 2008Read more
Howard Music has been very busy over the last few weeks, composing music for clients such as TBWA Hunt Lascaris, Draftfcb, DDB and Creatrix - conducting the Bala Brothers, and performing on Judith Sephuma's latest album. 19 Jun 2008Read more
The catchy new LG TVC was composed by Adam Howard. The brief from Y&R was to compose a memorable, light tune that people could whistle! 11 May 2008Read more
Howard Music composed the latest MTN TVC for Metropolitan Republic, and Adam Howard, with Zwai Bala, are musical directors for the “Stars of Mzanzi” Awards on SABC 1. 4 Mar 2008Read more
South African Tourism TVC "Reconsider" Agency - Ireland-Davenport
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