Adam Glasser

When I first met Adam some years ago now, he was a fluent and impressive jazz pianist leaning towards the “township” feel of his South African background. However, in more recent years, as well as continuing and developing his piano playing, he has reinvented himself as one of this country’s leading jazz chromatic harmonica players. And just in case you think of the harmonica as the thing that wild-eyed musicians beat into submission on blues gigs, then you must check out this gig. Adam’s playing on harmonica is fluent, subtle and constantly inventive. He won the “Best Contemporary Jazz Album” award at the 2010 South African Music Awards with his wonderful album “Free at First” and has recently released another great album “Mzansi” in Europe, Africa and the US. His playing has been featured on innumerable gigs and sessions across various genres, including work with Joe Zawinul, Sting, The Eurythmics, BBC Concert Orchestra, London Philharmonica Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Incognito. Also featured with Adam tonight will be the brilliant flautist Gareth Lockrane (Bheki Mseleku), the terrific guitarist Nigel Price (James Taylor Quartet)) and a world class rhythm section of bassist Steve Watts (Loose Tubes, Kenny Wheeler) and drummer Ian Thomas (Mark Knopfler, Sting, Hamish Stuart).

"...he has brought a truly unique voice and idiom to the constantly evolving language of jazz.... a challenge to equal for sheer scope of virtuosity, musicality and surprise" AllAboutJazz;
" all the virtuosity and panache associated with practitioners on more conventional instruments [ ...] a wholly impressive evening's music from a man in complete control of his considerable resources"VortexJazz