Bruce Adams

b. 3 July 1951, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England. Adams’ parents were in showbusiness and they settled in Glasgow, Scotland, soon after their son was born. In the early 60s, he began playing trumpet, studying with Maurice Deans and playing in the Glasgow area. When he was 14, Adams appeared on the popular television talent show, Opportunity Knocks, and was a winner. The following year, he began touring with his singer-guitarist father. During the next few years, Adams toured with his father, and sometimes also with his mother, performing internationally, including an appearance at Expo ’67 in Montreal, Canada. Following the death of his father, Adams freelanced back in Glasgow, playing in small groups and big bands through the 70s and into the early 80s. In the mid-80s, he played with visiting jazz artists, including Dick Hyman, Benny Carter and Bob Wilber. Adams continued to work in a wide variety of settings, often in theatrical shows but by the early 90s he was playing more and more in a wholly jazz setting. In these years he led his own small groups, co-led a band with Alan Barnes, and worked with singer Val Wiseman, trombonist Bill Allred, Wilber again, and Kenny Baker. Adams, who also plays flügelhorn, displays great flair when soloing and is an inventive and listening accompanist.