"Adam Larson combines virtuosic ability with melodic logic in a way few of his peers ever master. He pushes the envelope of what you expect from a modern jazz saxophonist while keeping it relatable to all listeners. His extensive teaching experience and his ability to talk to student performers and address their musical and technical issues makes him to be a superb choice for a concert or residency."
Dr. Larry Panella, Director of Jazz Studies, The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music
“First, I want to thank you for work at Bradley last week. You were great with the students, your clinics were on point and really met the students at their level, and your playing was spectacular. The charts that you sent were great, and the students loved the experience of performing with you. I couldn't have asked for a better guest artist.”
Dr. Todd Kelly, Chair, Department of Music, Bradley University
“Adam Larson was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. From his insightful teaching and his masterful performances, to his attention to detail and organization, my students were truly inspired working with Adam all day. My students will be talking about his visit to NSU for a long time.”
Dr. Paul Forsyth, Professor of Saxophone, Northwestern State University
“Adam Larson and his band delivered an inspired performance for our jazz department students, who enjoyed a program that included original music as well as music from the jazz canon. His post-performance discussion skillfully addressed achieving success and longevity as a jazz artist, from both musical and business perspectives. This was particularly illuminating to our students. Adam is a first-class educator that knows how to engage students in positive and meaningful ways, leaving them inspired and motivated!”
Scott Burns, Director of Jazz Studies, DePaul University
"I had the privilege of hosting Adam Larson for a virtual clinic with my saxophone studio and I was so impressed. The information and exercises presented were practical and immediately applicable. Every student walked away with information they could go into a practice room and work on to see significant improvement. I look forward to having Adam work with my students again in the near future."
Dr. Drew Whiting, Assistant Professor of Music, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
“Adam Larson provided an exciting and engaging virtual masterclass for our jazz ensembles at UW-Stevens Point. He is a top-caliber musician whose artistry, passion, and knowledge were abundantly on display. He covered an amazing array of content in a short time, including strategies for improvisation that were applicable to musicians of all ability levels. My students continue to talk about his valuable insights, which have already had a positive impact on their practice methods and which have informed my own pedagogy.”
Dr. Myles Boothroyd- Assistant Professor of Saxophone, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
"Adam Larson provided our students with what was one of the most broad-based and useful masterclasses of all of our guests over the years. His attention to the critical details and skills necessary to be a professional musician was every bit as important and well-presented as his musical knowledge. Find a space on your schedule for him; your students (and faculty) will be all the better for it."
Chad Eby - Director, Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program at UNC-Greensboro
"Adam Larson's visit to UWEC was incredibly inspiring for our students. His clarity of ideas and wealth of knowledge and experience were a tremendous benefit to the jazz students, not to mention his performance, which was phenomenal. It was a true privilege for everyone to learn from him."
Dr. Aaron Hedenstrom, University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire
“Adam spent the day working with students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His insight into jazz pedagogy, improvisation, saxophone technique, and music business were beyond inspiring for the students and faculty. His visit was extremely informative and what a treat it was to hear him perform with the jazz ensemble and combos! The students will be talking about this visit for years to come.
- Dr. Nicki Roman, Assistant Professor of Saxophone, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
“Adam Larson was one of the most insightful and engaging clinicians that we have had at our program. Obviously his abilities as a musician are world-class, but the ability to teach and engage college students is rare in a visiting artist.”
Dr. Paul Haar, Director of Jazz Studies, The University of Nebraska-Lincoln
“Adam Larson brings many things to the table as a clinician, and my students have really seen the benefits of his teaching. Adam is a world-class saxophonist and improviser, and he has many innovative and systematic approaches to teaching which help students understand improvisation, theory and practicing. He is also an accomplished entrepreneur, and he always has outstanding advice for students headed into music school or music careers. I look forward to having him back to my school soon and would recommend him highly to any jazz program looking for ways to improve.”
David Lown, Jazz Ensemble Director, Carroll High School, Southlake, TX
“Thank you for spending the afternoon with my jazz students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was a real treat to hear you solo on our charts with the band. Your ideas, language, and technique flow effortlessly. Your comments to the rhythm section were really on point and resulted in very positive changes. The students and I really appreciated how much information you shared with us during our rehearsal. The time you spent at the piano talking to students about harmonizing melodies is just the boost young students need to add daily composition and piano practice to their schedules. The concluding Q & A allowed us to see jazz through the eyes of a busy and highly organized 21st century musician. From networking, to creating musical projects, to developing multiple income streams, you’re articulate and honest responses left us with greater insights and a great level of respect for your artistry and professionalism. Continued best wishes as your exciting career develops further.”
Jim Ketch, Professor, Director of Jazz Studies, UNC-Chapel Hill
“Adam Larson is a fantastic player and wonderful educator. His clinic at UNC Charlotte was very inspiring and offered a multitude valuable information. His etude books are a great resource for advanced saxophonists wanting to develop their technique and harmonic vocabulary. Adam has a very bright future in our business!”
Dr. Will Campbell, Director of Jazz Studies, UNC-Charlotte
“Adam Larson gave a very thoughtful and informative masterclass for the jazz department when he visited Florida State University in April 2019. After the masterclass, the students mentioned to me how much they enjoyed having Adam as a guest and that they took away some great advice and insight into the music business. Adam also gave saxophone lessons to the jazz saxophone studio throughout the day. The students had only great things to say about their interaction with Adam. Adam’s teaching and playing are outstanding and I would not hesitate to have him back.”
Dr. David Detweiller, Director of Jazz Studies, Florida State University
“ Adam Larson is that rare individual who is as formidable in the classroom as he is on the bandstand. Watching him perform for and work with my students at Northern Illinois University, I was impressed with his ability to break down not only the technical aspects of the music, but also elements of the modern business of the jazz musician that too frequently go unaddressed in the classroom. Adam has a firm grasp of the skill set every young musician needs today, and I would highly recommend him as a clinician in the high school or college classroom.”
Geoffrey Bradfield Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone and Jazz Studies Northern Illinois University
"Adam and his group did a clinic for the University of Illinois jazz forum and the insights not only about the original music they were performing but about the music business especially from a band leader perspective, were thoughtful, true, and very helpful to all of our students".
Chip McNeil, Professor and Chair of Jazz Studies, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
“Adam Larson is a gifted saxophonist whose musical proficiency is evident in both performance and instruction. His master class at the University of North Texas was informative and accessible to a variety of musical levels.”
Bradford C. Leali, Associate Professor/Jazz Saxophone/Director, 3 O'Clock Lab Band, The University of North Texas