Musical legends set to pay tribute to Sir Howard

Musicians, who will be led by composer, arranger and pianist Carl Doy, preparing for tonight's show. Photo / Stephen Parker

A musical extravaganza is set to take place for A Knight to Remember - a tribute to Sir Howard Morrison's glittering career.

Tonight's event at Rotorua Convention Centre will see musical legends come together to celebrate the life and legacy of the city's most famous musician who died five years ago.

"It's sort of like a, This is Your Life," organiser and Sir Howard's son, Howard Jr said.

"We go right from the beginning when he had a quartet, to going solo, touring country and western shows, Miss New Zealand, Showtime Spectacular, and highlighting artists that played with him."

The two-hour show will feature musical stars such as Dame Malvina Major, Carl Doy, Annie Crummer, Tina Cross, Gray Bartlett, Tony Williams, Ray Woolf, Brendan Dugan, Eddie Low, Kahurangi Maxwell and Rewa Ututaonga. Also appearing will be Tai Eru, Terry Morrison, George Bennett and Rim D Paul - "the koro-tet" and Sir Howard Morrison's sister Rene Mitchell.

"As it's getting closer the more nervous I'm getting," Mr Morrison said who will also be performing tonight with his trio.

"But I'm looking forward to a great show, with great artists, I really think this is the best show I've ever been associated with."

Each artist will arrive to a red carpet welcome with Cook Islands drummers performing. People will enter the centre to the sounds of the Maori Choir and during the intermission Rodger Cunningham and his band will be playing in the foyer.

A "handful" of tickets are still available for tonight's show through Ticketmaster. Doors open at 5.30pm with the concert scheduled to start at 6.30pm.