Adamson's quintet features his original compositions; everything they perform is drawn from Adamson's vast catalogue of original work that teems with exiting polyrhythms and richly contrasted harmonies.
Listeners will find driving freewheeling precision in his creative pen. Adamson's current band, featured on his latest album,First Light, includes Brennan Andes (acoustic and electric bass), known for his innovative bass work with the Macpodz, the Ragbirds, and Vincent York. Drummer Jonathan Taylor, who has studied with pianist Geri Allen and performed with trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, is guided by what he calls a "cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary approach to improvisation". Ross Huff (trumpet), known for his hot trumpet work with the Macpodz and the Tone Farmers, joined the band near the end of the recording session and contributed a beautiful solo on Sunny Side Up. In addition to Adamson's fleet keyboard work, First Light provides a setting for the hard hitting, melodically inventive tenor saxophone playing of Dan Bennett, whose powerful tone and astonishing command of his instrument mesmerizes throughout. This is a tight quintet that has developed an intimate rapport. Adamson's compositions glow with a joy earned though decades of self-motivation and hard work. He's clearly in his element, collaborating with creative young musicians in music that is constantly being reinvented.
http://andyadamsonquartet.org
