Press: Adam Smale, Fingerstyle Jazz Guitarist, Kalamazoo

Guitar Workshop:

It was a great Guitar Workshop Plus this July. Thanks to Randy Bachman for stopping by and sharing his stories and info on Lenny Breau. Thanks students for being the best class I've ever had! Thanks for letting me touch on, and sharing, the style of Lenny Breau. Adam is a Jazz Guitarist in Kalamazoo. Adam is currently attaining Masters degree in Jazz performance at Western Michigan University.
Adam's influences in jazz are the greats such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, exposed to R&B, funk, and reggae, and recognizing his roots in country, Adam was making a natural progression
to his own brand of Jazz. Adam found another monumental influence. It was a guitar master who also touted Chet Atkins a mentor as young "picker"--none other than Lenny Breau. Adam performs for Guitar Workshop Plus, National Guitar Workshop, Grand Prix de Jazz, the Rex, the Orbit Room, Toronto Jazz Festival, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Adam teaches for Guitar Workshop Plus, National Guitar Workshop, and Guitarwise, his own guitar studio in Kalamazoo. Adam Smale is a fingertsyle guitarist. Adam Smale plays fingertsyle jazz on a 7-string, seven-string guitar.

October 2, 2006
Follow the orange link, just below, to read a recent article in Sault Ste. Marie newspaper, The Sault Star (September 19, 2006 issue).
Sault Star Article

April 10 , 2005

For Immediate Release

Local Virtuoso Seven-String Jazz Guitarist Pays Tribute To Seven-String Guitar Hero

Toronto jazz guitarist honours jazz luminary in April. In celebration of April, being National Guitar Month, local jazz guitarist, Adam Smale, presents a tribute to jazz guitar legend, Lenny Breau. Adam considers Lenny Breau a pivotal figure in jazz music and pivotal in influencing his music. The event will take place 9:30pm, Wednesday, April 20th 2005, at the Rex Hotel, 194 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V-1Z1. (Admission $6)

Lenny Breau made his home in Toronto briefly in the early ‘60s, as well as making frequent visits up until his death in the early ‘80s. Breau went on to revolutionize the way jazz guitar is played—inventing new techniques. “People are still trying to figure out what Lenny was doing on guitar to this day. I want to help spread the word about how great Lenny was and celebrate that fact.” Breau’s influence on Smale’s own guitar prowess also inspired him to custom design his own 7-string guitar crafted by a local Toronto builder; Adam will be using this special guitar for this event. “Six strings wasn't enough to do what I want on the guitar.”

Joining Adam is Jeff King (Saxophone), Artie Roth (Bass), and Joel Haynes (Drums). Adam particularly enjoys working with these fellow musicians, even though considered young in the jazz arena, are some of Toronto’s finest calibre of musicians.

"Toronto guitarist Adam Smale plays with great authority and confidence right from the opening...keeps the focus on strong original compositions and terrific interplay..." Jazz Report.

Media and fans of great jazz are encouraged to attend in this event. Wednesday, April 20th 2005, Rex Hotel, 194 Queen St W, 9:30pm