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 to develop his skills at the keyboard, he has reinvented himself as one of Europe’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, a virtuoso on the instrument Adam’s playing is eloquent, subtle and constantly inventive. He has released two critically acclaimed recordings, winning the “Best Modern Jazz Album” award at the 2010 South African Music Awards with his wonderful album “Free at First” while the follow-up, “Mzansi” was also short listed by SAMA in 2012 for “Best Jazz Album”. Adam has performed or recorded with a wide range of artists including Sting, Joe Zawinul, the Eurythmics, Incognito and most recently the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. Strongly influenced by his SA roots, Adam is a founder member of the Township Comets and was for many years musical director of the legendary SA vocal group The Manhattan Brothers. In 2014 Adam had the honour of playing several piano dates with iconic SA musician Hugh Masekela, which included the opening of the Commonwealth Games. Tonight he presents a new cross-generational quartet that brings together the highly respected rhythm section of bass player Andy Cleyndert and drummer Matt Skelton with up-and-coming talent Rob Luft on guitar. For this 606 performance, in addition to material from his prior albums and melodic South African jazz township standards, Adam & the band will be exploring selected compositions by John Coltrane.

"[Adam Glasser]... 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; "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