US composer, trumpeter, singer and leader of the Howard Roberts Chorale. Best known for his work with Harry Belafonte as well as his participation in numerous ’50s and ’60s Columbia studio sessions. Musical director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and the Donald McKayle Dance companies and was musical director for Harry Belafonte. As an actor and singer, he created the role of Robbins in the 1952 international company of “Porgy and Bess” starring Leontyne Price, William Warfield and Cab Calloway. He was the first African American tenor soloist for the Robert Shaw Chorale. He produced recordings at Columbia Records for Tony Bennett, Diahann Carroll, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Rhetta Hughes, Bobby Scott, Barbra Streisand and Simon Estes. He also worked as arranger and/or conductor on recordings for Estes, as well as Lena Horne, Michel Legrand, Galt McDermott, the Roy Meriwether Trio, Billy Taylor, Pat Williams and the Broadway cast albums for “Raisin” and “Guys and Dolls.” He conceived, produced and conducted albums under his own name with the Howard Roberts Chorale: “Dream a Little Dream of Me” on Kapp Records and “Let My People Go: Black Spirituals/African Drums” on Columbia Records. Born: July 18, 1924 - Died: March 10, 2011

Not to be confused with Howard Roberts, jazz guitarist and informal member of The Wrecking Crew (6).