Ernest McCarty

Ernest McCarty Jr. (March 26, 1941 – December 11, 2025) was an American upright bass player, musical composer and playwright. He is known for playing with Erroll Garner from 1970 until Garner's death in 1977, as well as for plays he has written, scored and directed.

Life and career McCarty was born in South Chicago to Samarie Hunter McCarty and Ernest McCarty Sr. He was scheduled to audition for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra but wasn't allowed to audition because he was Black.

He directed and co-wrote the musical Dinah! Queen of the Blues with Sasha Dalton, about the life of Dinah Washington. He has written or co-written more than 25 plays and musicals and acted as artistic director for New Horizons Theater in Pittsburgh from 1994 through 2008.

Awards and honors 1977 Madame Hortense - Joseph Jefferson Award 1987 Recollection Rag - Hoyt W. Fuller One-Act Play Festival Award - awarded by the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago 1998 Prolific Playwright of 1998 - In Pittsburgh 2004 African American Council of the Arts Onyx Award - Best Production Blue 2006 African American Council of the Arts Onyx Award - Best Director Purlie Victorious 2007 African American Council of the Arts Onyx Award - Best Production American Menu