City Winery, NY—-Miki Howard may be Chicago’s very own, but Howard is an internationally-recognized entertainer who consistently stayed on the R&B charts throughout the 1980s and ‘90s, made the jump to movies for “Malcolm X” and “Poetic Justice,” then became the subject of her own TV One biopic “Love Under New Management.”
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Alicia Michelle “Miki” Howard was the daughter of two well-known gospel singers. Her father, Clay Graham, sang with the Pilgrim Jubiliees and her mother, Josephine Howard, was a member of the Caravans, a group that would eventually be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Howard signed a contract with Atlantic Records in the mid-1980s and recorded her first solo album, “Come Share My Love”, in 1986. The title track from the album was its first single, hitting the top ten of the R&B charts and reaching number five in late 1986. A remake of the pop standard “Imagination,” which Howard had fought to include on “Come Share My Love”, was another hit from the album.
The show does include a few originals such as “Ain’t Nobody Like You,” “Come Share My Love,” “Beer For Breakfast” and a new track “Panther,” that includes a rap by the late 80s early 90s Oakland based rapper Too Short. But really, Live In Concert serves as an opportunity for Howard to indulge in something that she really enjoys – going back into the jazz, blues, and R&B songs that influenced and inspired her.
Howard enjoys and is energized by taking her audience on this trip down memory lane. Her voice is deeper at the bottom, but she can has solid range, and enough vocal control to engage in jazz inspired vocalize and improvisation on tracks such as the Sylvia Robinson classic “Pillow Talk.”
As for Howard’s repertoire during the 90-minute night, Philadelphia sensation Suzann Christine opened the show for the sultry jazz artist. Embolden with class, creativity, and raw talent is what the 2012 Philly Hip Hop Award winner for “Best Female R&B Artist“ offers her many fans and followers with the fun yet relatable R&B/Pop music she is known for.
Within the past year, this singer/songwriter has been introduced to the airwaves and social networks, winning the hearts and ears of thousands within her hometown of Philadelphia and throughout the country. Opening for artists such as Raheem Devaughn, Ryan Leslie, and Philly’s own Musiq Soulchild, being chosen as one of the top 10 artist to make it in the Andre Harrell “2010 Superstar Soul Search” for Philly, launching the Philadelphia Phillies Official Playoff Anthem with Philly’s hit station Wired 96.5, being the Grand Prize winner of Citi Trends “The Big Break Talent Search” with her single Closed Casket, performing as a featured artist for BB Kings R&B spotlight, opening for Melanie Fiona, Wale, TI, Waka Flocka Flame and other notable artists at the popular RadioOne Fest.
She blessed the stage with songs like “Falling Tears”, “Fly”, Diana Ross, “I’m Coming Out”, Teena Marie, “Out On A Limb”, then closed her set out with “Levels”.
She got into the grove with “Ain’t Nobody Like You,” “Baby, Be Mine,” “Come Share My Love,” and “Love Under New Management” which she closed the show out with. In between, the known Billie Holiday appreciator showcased authoritative jazz phrasings on the likes of the “God Bless The Child” and “Good Morning Heartache,” which was preceded by her memories of personally knowing slain rapper Nipsey Hussle and pleading for the younger generation’s protection.
She also sang “Pillow Talk” (2006), “Private Collection” (2008), “I Choose To Be Happy” (2015), “Baby Be Mine”, “That’s What Love Is”, “Ain’t Nuthin’ In the World”, “Femme Fatale”, featured Howard’s renditions of classic tracks originally performed by Dinah Washington (“This Bitter Earth”).
Howard joked about the aches and pains of aging, the 63-year-old’s voice has aged like a fine wine and it was obvious why beyond individual recordings, she’s been a source for collaborations with Norman Brown, the late Gerald Levert, and picking up where Whitney Houston left off alongside Jermaine Jackson.
Given the weight of today’s world and all the struggles Howard alluded to that were fully explored in the film, her City Winery appearance was all the more uplifting and admirable. Thankfully there’s a chance to catch the underrated but exceptional vocalist share a few pieces from her fascinating life that’s finally getting another glow from the limelight.
For additional information on Miki Howard, visit MikiHowardMedia.com.
