He is taking us on a hip trip by way of a swinging tune, which I am proud to play drums on.
—Mike Clark
Tony Adamo loves jazz, particularly the organ-driven, straight-ahead variety. A unique artist whose “sing speak" delivery moves effortlessly between spoken word and song, Adamo calls his genre HipSpoken Word. Blending jazz history, beat-style poetry, and deep funk grooves, he has created a distinctive artistic voice influenced by musical and literary innovators such as Jack Kerouac, Gil Scott-Heron, and Mark Murphy.
Adamo's latest single, “It's Gotta B U!," offers an energetic preview of his upcoming album, Tony Adamo's Sing Speak Hipspoken Word. Joining him are longtime collaborator Mike Clark on drums, Tim Campbell on organ, and Richie Goods on bass.
While the title might suggest a conventional love song, Adamo's passion is directed largely toward jazz itself. Over a swinging organ-trio groove, he sings, speaks, improvises, and celebrates the music he loves. Along the way, he references jazz luminaries, encourages listeners to embrace improvisation, and captures the spirit of discovery that has long defined his work.
Mike Clark, renowned for his work with The Headhunters and a lifelong champion of jazz, describes the tune this way:
“Once again, Tony encourages us to keep seeking and not rest on our laurels. He is taking us on a hip trip by way of a swinging tune, which I am proud to play drums on. He tells us about Shirley Scott, Philly Joe, and what swingin', being hip, and heading into uncharted waters is like—not being afraid to take a chance and let the blues take you there. Now, that's living in my book!"
Adamo has long celebrated jazz through his performances, often weaving improvised lyrics and rhythmic narratives around the music and musicians who inspire him. Past works have paid tribute to artists including Joe Henderson, Eddie Harris, Art Blakey, Mark Murphy, Anita O'Day, and B.B. King, while championing jazz as a living, evolving art form.
The infectious groove and uplifting spirit of “It's Gotta B U!" make it an enticing preview of Sing Speak Hipspoken Word, arriving this summer.
Mike Clark — drums
Richie Goods — bass
Tim Campbell — organ
Scott Yanow is a jazz critic, historian, and author of 12 books, including Life Through The Eyes Of A Jazz Journalist.
Adamo's latest single, “It's Gotta B U!," offers an energetic preview of his upcoming album, Tony Adamo's Sing Speak Hipspoken Word. Joining him are longtime collaborator Mike Clark on drums, Tim Campbell on organ, and Richie Goods on bass.
While the title might suggest a conventional love song, Adamo's passion is directed largely toward jazz itself. Over a swinging organ-trio groove, he sings, speaks, improvises, and celebrates the music he loves. Along the way, he references jazz luminaries, encourages listeners to embrace improvisation, and captures the spirit of discovery that has long defined his work.
Mike Clark, renowned for his work with The Headhunters and a lifelong champion of jazz, describes the tune this way:
“Once again, Tony encourages us to keep seeking and not rest on our laurels. He is taking us on a hip trip by way of a swinging tune, which I am proud to play drums on. He tells us about Shirley Scott, Philly Joe, and what swingin', being hip, and heading into uncharted waters is like—not being afraid to take a chance and let the blues take you there. Now, that's living in my book!"
Adamo has long celebrated jazz through his performances, often weaving improvised lyrics and rhythmic narratives around the music and musicians who inspire him. Past works have paid tribute to artists including Joe Henderson, Eddie Harris, Art Blakey, Mark Murphy, Anita O'Day, and B.B. King, while championing jazz as a living, evolving art form.
The infectious groove and uplifting spirit of “It's Gotta B U!" make it an enticing preview of Sing Speak Hipspoken Word, arriving this summer.
Personnel
Tony Adamo — Sing Speak, HipSpoken Word, lyrics, musicMike Clark — drums
Richie Goods — bass
Tim Campbell — organ
Scott Yanow is a jazz critic, historian, and author of 12 books, including Life Through The Eyes Of A Jazz Journalist.
