Adam Larson
Adam Larson (b. 1990) is an American saxophonist, composer and author. An endorsed artist for P. Mauriat saxophones, The Boston Sax Shop and Key Leaves, Adam began playing saxophone at the age of 11. Described by critic Howard Reich of The Chicago-Tribune as “a player for whom the word ‘prodigious’ was coined”, by Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen as “a saxophonist who brings Donny McCaslin and Mark Turner to mind”, and by Nate Chinen of The New York Times as “the sort of jazz musician who gets flagged early on as a promising talent and then hustles to meet every requirement for success”, Larson has garnered numerous awards that distinguish him as one of the most promising artists of his generation. Upon graduating from high school in 2008, Adam moved to New York City to pursue his BM and MM in Jazz Performance on full-scholarship from The Manhattan School, finishing his studies in 2014.
Larson has released seven albums; two for Outside In, one for Ropeadope Records, two under the Inner Circle Music label and two produced independently. Larson’s most recent record “With Love, From Chicago”, received a rare 4.5 Star rating from Downbeat Magazine and was featured in JazzTimes Magazine, among other national media outlets.
Larson keeps an active schedule with his own groups and as a sideman, having performed at several venues across the U.S. including The Green Mill, The Jazz Standard, Birdland, The 55 Bar, The Jazz Gallery, The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Smalls, Jazz at The Bistro, The Jazz Estate, The Jazz Showcase, Dazzle, Noce, The Jewell and several others.
Music has allowed Adam to see more of the world than he once thought possible, having toured Poland, India,Taiwan, Holland, and Germany as well much of the United States. Larson’s Trio received a South Arts “Jazz Road Touring Grant” in 2022 and In 2015 Larson’s quartet was selected as one of ten ensembles to tour on behalf of the U.S. State Department's "American Music Abroad" program and toured Africa for 35 days visiting The Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin and Ghana.
Beyond maintaining an active touring and recording schedule, Larson continues to be a sought after clinician and masterclass presenter and has been a guest at more than seventy-five Universities across the world. Appearances include visits to HKU Conservatory-Utrecht, Temple University, Yale, Manhattan School of Music, and University of North Texas among many others. Larson is currently on faculty at UMKC Conservatory where he teaches classes in the Arts Entrepreneurship program and previously taught jazz saxophone, music business and pedagogy. In addition to his duties at UMKC, Larson has a diverse private lesson studio of online students from the U.S. and abroad.
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Album Review
- Second City by Troy Dostert
- Second City by Dan Bilawsky
- Second City by Mike Jurkovic
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Book Review
Read more articlesOctober 14, 2015
Jazz this week: Adam Larson, Lettuce, Youngblood Brass Band, March...
May 23, 2014
Jazz This Week: Rich McDonnell Memorial Concert, Glendale Jazz...
May 23, 2011
“…There’s no shortage of advanced, fresh playing on River Styx, the debut disc from the German-born, New York-based drummer Bastian Weinhold. He’s joined by tenor saxophonist Adam Larson, who brings Donny McCaslin and Mark Turner to mind…Speaking of Larson, he contributes an original, Space, to River Styx, and that go-get-’em track provides the CD with its catchiest, most tuneful moments…” – Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
“…Weinhold is supported harmonically by pianist Fabian Almazan and finds an indispensable accomplice in saxophonist Adam Larson, who shares intricate, chopsbusting unison lines with the guitarist on “The Almost Too Loud One,” “Forgotten Plains” and “Dragonfly…”- Bill Mikowski, JazzTimes
Primary Instrument
Saxophone
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
Adam Larson Saxophonist/Woodwind Specialist Teaching Resume New York, New York www.adamlarsonjazz.com [email protected] (309) 533 2135 2012 • Clinician; Various schools in Germany • Saxophone Instructor; Afro Latin Jazz Alliance at Bronx School for Writers, Bronx, NY • Teaching Assistant; Birch Creek Summer Jazz Camp Session I; July 2011 • Master Classes in Taipei, Taiwan as an Endorsed Artist for P. Mauriat Saxophones • Private Instructor through Musika Organization; New York, New York • Private studio; ages 10-55; all ability levels • Lessons via Skype • Clinician at Quincy High School; Quincy, IL • Clinician at PM Woodwind; Evanston, IL 2011 • Teaching Assistant; Birch Creek Summer Jazz Camp Session I; July 2011 • Faculty; Illinois State University Jr
Photos
Concert Schedule
Album Discography
Good Day Without You
From: Simple BeautyBy Adam Larson
Videos
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Adam Larson
Instrument: Saxophone
Born: January 6, 1990
