Today we’d like to introduce you to John Adams.
Hi John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a musical family; my Mom was and still is a very good classical pianist, and my Dad was an amazing operatic baritone singer. Though they both eventually did other things for their careers, they performed (and rehearsed) constantly. I dutifully took piano and sang in choirs as a kid but music was not really “my thing.” We went overseas for two years, when I was 10 – 12 and when we came back I noticed that all of my friends were playing something, so then I felt motivated to start a different instrument. The junior high orchestra director pointed me to the double basses that were in a rack on the wall, and I said “Oh those! I have seen them on TV.”
It took about six months before I could and hear what was captivating about the bass (and sometime around then I also got my first electric bass). All through high school I felt like I was a music major in college already, and during my senior year I even started doing gigs 2 – 3 nights a week with a professional jazz quartet in both Madison, WI and 75 miles away in Milwaukee. I felt way in over my head, but it was exhilerating too. I went to North Texas for college, which at the time was one of the largest music schools in the country (over 2000 music majors!), and studied classical and jazz. While still in college I played for three seasons with the Fort Worth Symphony (again, feeling quite over my head). All kinds of freelance gigs and even some recording/studio work came my way, and then I had the chance to tour the world for a year-an-a-half with jazz great Woody Herman. We also frequently backed other jazz artists, including Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme and others.
I came off the road and taught back at my alma mater, North Texas for ten years, along with an extremely wide range of freelance gigs. A long bout with tendonitis interrupted and almost ended my musical endeavors, but I finally figured out what to do to get better and keep that at bay.
By my mid-30’s I began to take an interest in pursuing a bit of a “jazz artist/leader” aspect, having played by then on dozens of projects for other people. It never really turned into anything famous, but I did release 8 albums of my own, and spawned the “John Adams as bandleader” brand, which is a large portion of what I still do. That stage of it (and ever other valuable transition) was fostered by simply asking questions and asking for help: What IS a contract? How do I get one I can use and modify? What did you need to know and consider when doing your album project(s)? What is a proposal and how do I write one? etc.
One life-changing transition took place when at age 44, with a young family my wife died of cancer. I was able to continue performing, but it really caused me to account for my time and priorities, and part of that process led to the formation of my commercial/party/variety band called Special Edition. I am so grateful that for all of these many years I have been able to balance the joy and art of music, with the service and professional parts of it, and to make a decent living, and even see communities develop from some of those efforts.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Trying to become a great musician (and even more so to try to make it one’s profession) is extremely demanding. There is the challenge of being motivated and inspired by great performers I saw performing and heard on recordings, combined with the downward pull of not being able to play that way (yet or ever). Then the challenge of competing for specific slots, positions and gigs (and for someone like me who is not naturally very competitive this was daunting). Receiving high-level instruction (both in classroom and private lessons often added that same dicotomy of inspiration/insight and discouragement.
I also have had three instances over a 45 year career in which I had injuries that caused me to have to start from scratch; first I had a long bout of tendonitis in my late 20’s, right as my career was taking off, and then much later in my early 50’s I was hit by a car while riding my bike (broken rib, shoulder blade, concussion, etc). And about a year and a half ago, though not as dramatic, I fell and fractured my left wrist, right before I was supposed to leave for an international trip.
And lastly, there have been the challenges of learning how to handle the business side of things, starting from lessons in how to be a good sideman, to eventually leading and contracting other musicians much of the time, as well as learning how to find, cultivate, and build a business of my own.
But all of that to say, it has been more than worth it!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Special Edition Band/Congruent Music?
I started the name/moniker “Congruent Music Co.” in the mid-1990’s when I needed to find a name to use as the label for my first (of 8) released album projects. I eventually expanded the use of that name to include music performance contracts (for various groups and configurations) which I was increasingly called on to create, and so it kind of became my “parent company” name. I am still sole-proprietor of it. Then as referenced in the prior section on “my story,” I started The Special Edition Band to fit into the niche of music for weddings, corporate events, celebrations, civic concerts etc which were not just Jazz (as had been my focus before). The band is 21 years old this month (June 2026). What I am most pleased with regarding that band specifically is that in a marketplace in which there has clearly been a shift to volume over quality (i.e. big box companies using band names to sell 10 or more events on the same night) Special Edition has always been “Music First”, and we operate from a cohesive, working band model.
Regarding my brand as a band-leader/contractor, in general (as I do book other types of groups) what pleases me most is that I am known for providing great musicians, in a pleasant work atmosphere, and having clients and performers alike trust me to do the best I can for them.
I am also glad that people also know that they can still call on me to just come and play bass for them, whether for a recording session (like I have tomorrow) or a cabaret gig for a great vocalist (like I have the day after), etc. Most of all, I am still in love with and amazed by the great gift of God that music is.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really believe in luck, but I know what is meant by the term. I believe in God, who though He is transcendent, has revealed Himself to be involved in the affairs of people in ways that flow through His wise and caring hand. I think that He does indeed bless and provide opportunities for the diligent, but equally helps us to face obstacles and disappointments and can lift those who are broken.
I have seen MANY instances of things coming together and happening in a way that I could never have orchestrated in a million years. One phrase I sometimes use is “It is easier to steer a vehicle that is already moving.” So I try to make sure that for the most part, I am moving (musically and business-wise and in relationships)!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://congruentmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnadams8751/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnadams17
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thespecialeditionband6409
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/john-adams-79
- Other: https://thespecialeditionband.com/
