Adam Smale

Myself and my group are always smartly dressed, we can perform an all original set of music, to classic jazz songs, or a mix of both. We can be as interactive or non interactive with guests as you like.

Between the applause, the sound of his guitar, and even the stage itself, within the first few notes, a serious impact was made on a young boy—Adam Smale became hooked on music. Four years later, at age 12, a vision of becoming a professional guitarist came true, to much surprise to himself and his parents.

Guitarist/composer Adam Smale tells stories with his music. His “pen” is a personally designed 7-string guitar, wielded with both virtuosity and creativity. His tales are woven from his rich imagination stoked by a wide variety of musical influences and his latest CD, Out of the Blue, fully attests to his compelling artistry.
Raised in a small working class community in Canada, Adam’s roots first began in Country and Bluegrass. He took up the guitar at age 7 and a lifelong bond grew as was a personal commitment to the instrument. By the time he was 14, the budding guitarist was on his way to becoming a seasoned professional in different performing scenarios.

The young guitarist eventually branched out to a variety of music. When he later discovered jazz his path took a profound turn. Jazz was a natural progression partially due to a somewhat naive belief that all musicians improvised previous to studying music at Humber College. Along with building on the influences with his first two guitar heroes, Chet Atkins and Eddie Van Halen, Adam forged a logical new direction for himself in the classic tradition of jazz. Charlie Parker, Ed Bickert, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and pianist Bill Evans, soon became important influences.

With Toronto as his home base, Adam eventually performed all over the globe, including South America, India and the Middle East, as well as some cross-Canadian tours gaining even more experience. He performed consistently and was a regular presence at the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival. Adam’s debut CD, Fun City was released in Canada in 2000 to extensive radio play to critical acclaim. His group was also featured at the prestigious Grand Prix du Jazz at the 2002 Montreal Jazz
Festival.

Ultimately it was the playing style of the legendary Lenny Breau that had the greatest impact. Not only in the direction of Adam’s music, but in the physical means by which he would choose to also express it. He then began to conceive the sound he is currently known for by returning to a thumbpick and fingerstyle technique of his early years. Adam then also designed his two primary 7-string
guitars, a custom-built electric and a self-built classical guitar to complete the process.

Adam currently lives in the Jazz Mecca, New York City, actively performing and touring.

Adam requires a chair, and an electrical outlet with the ability to plug 3 different items into.