MUSICAL INFLUENCES

Let me just start by saying that I am a HUGE music FAN, so a list is almost pointless, but the biggest musical influences in my playing have been ....Prince / The New Power Generation / The Revolution, U2, Parliament, Bootsy Collins, Rush, D'Angelo, Manu Katche, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, The Police, Micheal Jackson, Randy Cooke, Shamakah Ali, Sekou Lamumba (if you don't know, you better ask somebody!) , James Brown, The Gap Band, The Time, Miles Davis, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, ?uestlove, Zapp and Roger, John Blackwell, Stevie Wonder, Teddy Riley, Sade, too many to list ....


BIO

Adam was born and raised in the small southern Ontario Town of Elmira. Although he was not from a musical family, music was always a strong presence in Adam's childhood. His mother was constantly spinning her record collection, consisting mostly of 60s, 70s, and 80s funk, soul, and RnB. Adam was instantly drawn to the smooth, infectious grooves from Detroit, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. By the age of three, Adam had mastered the family record player and the sounds of Michael Jackson, Kool and the Gang, The Gap Band, Prince, and all the Motown greats could be heard emanating from the Bowman's living room. Shortly thereafter, Adam could regularly be hard pounding away on pots and pans. When tying Adam's wrists to his ankles brought no respite to the family's cooking implements (or ears), his parents got Adam his first drum set, which proved visionary.

While attending Elmira District Secondary School, Adam was trained as a classical percussionist in the music program and performed in the school's concert band, stage band, jazz choir, percussion ensemble, and countless theatrical productions. During this time, Adam honed his skills performing and recording with his first band, progressive rock outfit Olive Wide (1994-99) while taking private lessons with Canadian drum/percussion guru Gary Tomlin. It was clear that Adam had made a choice about the path his life was to take.

In 1999 Adam attended the Humber College Music program and studied with some of the country's finest teachers (Roger Flock, Don Vickery, Paul DeLong). The sharp environmental shift from high school in Elmira to college in Toronto opened many doors and gave Adam his first glimpse into the world of freelancing. Adam began performing with many bands, including Hamilton's Flux and Guelph's Corduroy Leda. He also kept busy with Humber's many RnB singers and performers. The school's jazz focus made "groove" players in high demand, and Adam helped reduce that demand.
Perhaps the most important connection Adam made during this period was with RnB vocalist Tanya Asaki, who gave Adam the opportunity to perform with Toronto funk all-star Project F (featuring Carlos Morgan and Wade O. Brown). Under the constant tutelage and relentless brow-beating of musical director and keyboardist Billy Alexander, Adam heightened his groove and his understanding and appreciation of funk, soul, hip hop, and RnB. The year and a half he spent working with Project F was one of the most inspiring and encouraging periods in Adam's training. But after finishing the first year of Humber's program, Adam left the mostly jazz-oriented school in search of a funkier groove.

Adam continued working in a variety of bands ranging in style from rock, funk, and hip hop to country, blues, and jazz, and also performed in many musical theatre productions. Finally some projects came along that gave Adam the opportunity to tour nationally, including his own funk outfit The Motor Booty Affair. Currently Adam is working with Canadian Idol finalist Joni NehRita, and Canada's undisputed queen of the underground Ember Swift. He also tours with Juno Nominee Kellylee Evans, while recording and performing with hip hop artist Rufus and funk soulster Chris Rouse. Amazingly, Adam still manages to find time to freelance with many other acts that satisfy his never-ending passion for diverse musical styles. Adam's deep feel and tight grooves have been seminal on dance floors, in theatres, at festivals, and on recordings for years now, and he has toured extensively throughout Canada, The United States, Australia, New Caledonia, Wales, Scotland and England and this funky drummer is just getting started!.

Bio by Lisa Johnson,
contact www.unsung.ca