George Adams

George Adams was a powerful and emotive jazz saxophonist best known for his intensely expressive playing and his work in avant-garde and post-bop settings. Born in 1940 in Georgia, Adams rose to prominence in the 1970s and 80s through collaborations with drummer Dannie Richmond and pianist Don Pullen in the George Adams-Don Pullen Quartet—a group celebrated for blending free jazz with soulful blues and gospel influences. His robust tenor sax tone and willingness to blend raw emotion with technical mastery made him a standout voice in modern jazz.

Adams also worked with some major figures in jazz, including Charles Mingus, with whom he recorded several notable albums. His discography includes works like City Gates, Live at Montmartre, and Paradise Space Shuttle, which showcase his adventurous musical spirit. Through projects both as a sideman and bandleader, George Adams left an indelible mark on jazz before his passing in 1992.

Genres

Free Jazz

Avant-garde

Hard Bop

Jazz

Jazz Fusion

Smooth Jazz

Avant-garde Jazz

Bebop

Post-bop

Jazz Funk

Jazz Blues

Related Artists

Robert Glasper

John Coltrane

Kamasi Washington

Herbie Hancock

Pat Metheny

Charles Mingus

McCoy Tyner

Esperanza Spalding

Terence Blanchard

George Duke

Bob James

Pharoah Sanders

Latest Release

Buss It Down

Doug E. Fresh•

George Adams

Single - Released May 29, 2019