Adam Blackstone

Bassist, songwriter, and producer Adam Blackstone is a multifaceted artist with broad credentials across the jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and pop spectrum. While he is best known for his work as musical director for Nicki Minaj and Justin Timberlake, Blackstone has directed and performed with an array of high-profile artists including Jay-Z, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, and Eminem. He has garnered accolades for his work, including earning two Primetime Emmy nominations for music direction of the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show starring Timberlake and the 2020 show starring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. He also received a 2007 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song for co-writing Musiq Soulchild's "Teachme." As a bassist, he has recorded with Jill Scott, Will Downing, Avery Sunshine, and others. He also appeared on the soundtrack to the 2021 film of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights and was the musical director for the 2022 Oscars ceremony.

Born in 1982 in Trenton, New Jersey, Blackstone started out on drums at age four, playing in church with his father, an organist and jazz musician, and his mother, a singer. His family eventually moved to Willingboro, New Jersey, where he switched to bass and by ninth grade was playing in his school's jazz ensemble. After high school, he studied jazz on a full scholarship to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he further honed his compositional and arranging skills. It was in Philadelphia that he caught the attention of drummer Questlove, who brought him on board as bassist for rapper Jay-Z's 2003 Fade to Black concert film at Madison Square Garden, as well as the 2005 concert/documentary film Dave Chappelle's Block Party. More work followed, including recordings with the Roots, Jill Scott, and Angie Stone. In 2007, Blackstone earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song for playing on and co-writing Musiq Soulchild's "Teachme," off Luvanmusiq. He also developed a close relationship with Will Downing, playing on many of the saxophonist's albums.

From that studio work, Blackstone took on larger roles, serving as music director and bassist for Rihanna on her 2012 777 tour. He also appeared as an advisor to Adam Levine on season one of NBC's The Voice, and went on to work as musical director for Eminem, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, and Justin Timberlake. Along the way, he and his wife, Kaisha Blackstone, co-founded their production company BBE (BASSic Black Entertainment). In 2018, he picked up his first Primetime Emmy nomination for music directing the Super Bowl 52 halftime show starring Justin Timberlake. Another Emmy nomination came his way in 2020, also for music directing the Super Bowl 54 halftime with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

Along with working as music director for shows like The Four: Battle for Stardom and The Masked Singer, Blackstone has continued to garner work as a bassist, recording with saxophonist Dowing, singer Raheem DeVaughn, and others. He played on the soundtrack to the 2021 film of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights and was the musical director for the 2022 Academy Awards. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi