harmonica and keys from Adam Glasser

Adam Glasser

“A composer, keyboardist and harmonica player, Glasser is intense…his tunes are joyful, driving and danceable.” Jazz Times

Harmonica virtuoso Adam Glasser comes to JATE for the first time in October. He's played with the likes of Martha Reeves, Hugh Masakela and Sting. His strikingly original compositions will be showcased alongside a stunning set of South African township jazz.

“His magnificent solos run from jazz ballads to the furious sounds of township sax… music that has become his connection to his roots.” Africa Review

Adam Glasser’s unique harmonica sound combines his South African roots with many years immersed in the UK jazz scene initially playing piano his own groups as well as for SA legends such Dudu Pukwana, and as musical director for 16 years of the veteran SA vocal group the Manhattan Brothers. His 16 years as musical director led to his producing their final album ‘Inyembezi’ for EMI in 2006. Adam has since released 2 critically acclaimed albums of his own – ‘Free at First’ (SAMA Best Modern Jazz Album) and ‘Mzansi’

“Virtuosity, panache…a man in complete control of his considerable resources.” Chris Parker

In April 1990 Adam began a 16 year stint as pianist and musical director of the south african vocal group The Manhattan Brothers, who had been household names in South Africa in the ’40s and ’50s before leaving for the UK as stars in the musical ‘King Kong’. The Brothers had reformed to appear at the Wembley Concert celebrating the release of Nelson Mandela in April 1990.

Through the 1990s Adam began an increasing specialisation in the chromatic harmonica especially after a run of engagements which saw him performing and/or recording with some major pop stars and film composers: Christopher Young on Hard Rain (1997) where he shared the harmonica credits with Toots Thielemans, eXistenz and Chinese Coffee (unreleased) – composer Howard Shore (who referred to Adam in an interview as ‘ a wonderful harmonica player’ . Adam can also be heard in The Good Thief (2002), score by Elliot Goldenthal and incidental music of the West End production of The Postman Always Rings Twice featuring Val Kilmer, with music by major british composer Django Bates.

In late 1998, Joe Zawinul heard a Manhattan Brothers demo tape that Adam had produced and the plans developed for the group to perform in Vienna with the Syndicate. After rehearsing at London’s Ronnie Scotts Club, Adam travelled at Joe Zawinul’s invitation, to Vienna where the combined groups performed Manhattan Brothers material in a special collaboration.

1999 saw Adam filling in for Stevie Wonder twice – live on a TV show with Sting to promote the Brand New Day album and later appearing with the Eurythmics at the Party in the Park. He also guested with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.

Adam’s harmonica can be heard on numerous CDs most notably with artists such as long time Sting guitarist Dominic Miller (Second Nature & Fourth Wall), Brazilian vocal legend Zizi Possi (Bossa), Australian fusion virtuoso Carl Orr (Absolute Freedom feat. Billy Cobham) and Zero 7 (When It Falls).

He has also played harmonica in London theatre productions: “Midsummer Night’s Dream” Shakespeare’s Globe (2002) “Scenes from the Big Picture”, “His Girl Friday” at the Royal National Theatre (2005).

with Ant Law: guitar • Steve Watts: bass • Corrie Dick: drums • Jeremy Shoham: sax