Jazz N Soul Music presents the 10th Annual "A Charlie Brown Christmas and Cool Holiday Favorites" featuring The Howard McNair Trio - Howard McNair: piano, Ryan Burns: bass, Tim Scott: drums. Special Appearances by vocalists Satyr Black and Ahji, guitarist Eric Brice, composer and vocalist Jason Jet  (NWSA alumni), Marcus Jones, Saxophonist Harvey Cummings (NWSA alumni) and Trumpter Braxton Bateman (NWSA alumni)

Wednesday, December 4th, 7pm at Northwest School of Arts Auditorium, Charlotte NC. Portion of proceeds to benefit Northwest School of Arts!

Howard McNair

“Life is taking time to hit the right notes”, Howard McNair Jr.’s favorite quote by Ray Charles and a blueprint of what McNair keeps in mind when it comes to his musical career and life.

At the age of 2 years old McNair begin being molded by his mother, a musician and singer, into a musician that would play soul touching music and release projects that would change lives. McNair’s parents knew that he was destined to become a music prodigy even at the age of two when they saw him quickly grasp the concept of playing the drums. Recognizing his gifts and abilities while growing up in church where his father pastored, McNair was given the assignment to be the pianist for the church at the age of 9. This assignment was utilized as a moment to enhance the experience of the church and to also cultivate his gifts and talents as a musician and songwriter who would go on to travel the world with well-known artists in multiple genres such as gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues and hip hop.

As McNair continued to cultivate his musical abilities and still holding on to the lessons taught during his early years, McNair furthered his knowledge by pursuing a degree in piano and music production at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Pursuing this degree allowed him to expand his knowledge as a musician and producer as well as receiving the opportunity to network with those who were interested in doing the same and in hindsight establishing relationships within the music field.

With the experience of establishing relationships within the music field, McNair has been able to connect and share the stage as a pianist and organist with prominent musicians and artists. A few artists that McNair has shared his gifts with include Dorinda Clark Cole & Darryl Coley.

McNair continues to allow his roots within the gospel community to strengthen and encourage him through his servitude. He currently serves as the Director of Music for Temple of Refuge International Church under the leadership of Pastor Kenneth Yelverton. McNair’s responsibilities include delegating and overseeing the day to day tasks of the Music department, selecting musical selections for every worship experience and serving as the piano and organist for each worship experience.