albums out now, and they are all instrumental.
I think because so much of my musical identity
was borne out of my study of improvisation,
I
naturally
gravitated
towards
jazz
and
improvisational music when I started to write
my own compositions. However, by no means
is that the only music I listen to for inspiration.
Ironically enough, I find that the music that I
listen to most for pure enjoyment these days
is rarely jazz. I’m a huge classic rock and prog
rock fan, and I still get excited listening to the
bands that I grew up listening to. I didn’t even
start listening to jazz until I first heard Jaco
Pastorius. That was the beginning of a whole
new musical journey and evolution for me, and
I’m very grateful to the teachers that I learned
from throughout the years that helped me to
understand it more.
[WM] As you have played in worship services
so many times and also are out on the road
playing live on mainstream gigs… how is your
mindset different when playing worship music
in church?
[Adam] Honestly my mindset is pretty much
the same in either case. I try to carry an attitude
of worship on stage with me regardless of
the artist or performance. From a practical
standpoint, my role is to be supportive in either
situation, but I want to ultimately be a musical
conduit for God’s purpose and allow His light to
shine through me whatever the scenario. You
never know who might be listening or who you
might be influencing, whether they are in the
audience of a coliseum or in the congregation my life. Music is a tool through which faith can youngster I often used music as a way to attract
of a small church. Although choosing to make be shared by allowing melody and harmony to attention, gain popularity, or win approval due to
music my career has not been without its tell a story and reach people on a heart level. In my insecurities. However, as my faith grew and
challenges, I feel very lucky to have gotten to fact, music’s purpose in my life over the years as I learned more about my spiritual identity, I
do this as long as I have, and working with the has undergone a transformation as a result of realized music was a gift that instead needed to
people that I have. I consider it a privilege to get my faith. I didn’t understand it then, but as a be given away and shared with others. This key
to share my gifts in this way, and I want to be as philosophical change became the catalyst for
faithful a steward as I can while doing it. inspiring a whole new musical understanding
of God’s purpose for me, and my prayer is
[WM] How does life as a Christian affect your that somehow my music would be used as a
music overall? tool for inspiration, healing, encouragement,
and
[Adam] It gives my music ultimate purpose
and meaning, just as it does in every aspect of
114
spiritual
who listen.
Cosmic Underground
November 2018
WorshipMusician.com
connection
amongst
those