Northern Ontario, Canada, is the place that provided the young
guitarist with his deep roots in Country and Bluegrass music. He was
raised by his parents in farm country—three acres of property they had
purchased literally inside of a cornfield. He became a member of the
musician's union at the tender age of twelve, and by fourteen, was on
the road, gaining a valuable experience, playing bars and weddings
around Northern Ontario. It was at this time that impassioned seeds
were planted and allowed to flourish over time; logically so, this
organic blend of musical genres was given fertile ground to grow its
own solid, dynamic, ever-probing roots.
Adam was making a natural progression to his own brand of Jazz.
However, it was not until years later, after graduating, that Adam
found a monumental influence, a guitar master who also touted Chet
Atkins a mentor as young “picker”—none other than Lenny Breau. Breau's
guitar work inspired Smale to take yet another new direction in Jazz
Guitar playing.
After serious contemplation, Adam discarded his flatpick to wield a
thumpick once again—a return to his youth. “It seems strange; I’m kind
of steppin’ back and moving forward at the same time. But, I can coax
more nuances from the guitar with a fingerstyle technique.” Adam
asserts. “Lenny's thing was to sound more like a piano player. You're
playing chords for yourself while you play melodies or solo.”
This challenging technique, demonstrates Adam's constant endeavour for
improvement with a fearless approach to musical growth and discovery.
This expansion in Adam’s musical evolution, in fact, also caused him
to expand his guitar. Literally! He designed a seven-string guitar and
had a local luthier build it for him. Adam clarifies, “With six
strings, I felt a little boxed in. I now have more flexibility with
the extra string.”
Adam has performed in South America, India, and the Middle East, as
well as performing in the Toronto area. Lately Adam has been quickly
making a name for himself amongst the more famous entertainers and has
recently been hired to perform with REGIS PHILBIN. Adam conducts
classes and seminars in Canada & the USA, for Guitar Workshop Plus,
the National Guitar Workshop, as well as juggling select private
students in the Toronto area.
Adam's debut CD, Fun City, reached No.9 in the Canadian National Jazz
Chart in September 2000. Adam placed 2nd in the renowned Grand Prix de
Jazz contest, during the 2002 Montreal Jazz Festival.
