Adam's Apple
Jazz and Life are synonymous. In my life there has been no distinction between Jazz and the hymns & Psalms I heard in church. It was and is simply the music of my life. Indeed in his article, pianist Eric Reed said, "When you get right down to it, the nascence of jazz is in sacred music!" (Megaphone | Published: March 24, 2009). So to play hymns in a Jazz Piano Trio, and improvise in a church setting is an entirely natural thing to do, which makes sense on just about every level I can think of.
We are a Jazz trio that plays Hymns for concerts, workshops and services. We aim to make connections and communicate with each other and our wider audience through our music.
Adam's Apple have played many concerts in many different venues and settings, highlights have been opening the Bath Abbey concert series in 2011, which premiered an extended line up featuring Mike Daniels on Trumpet and Simon Marsh on Saxophones; Glastonbury Abbey for the Bath and Wells 1100th Anniversary celebrations, Bath international music festival, and a performance at the Wiltshire Music Centre with Cantamus Choir. Adam was interviewed on BBC Radio Gloucestershire, and you can listen again on the samples page.
We are a Jazz trio that plays Hymns for concerts, workshops and services. We aim to make connections and communicate with each other and our wider audience through our music.
Adam's Apple have played many concerts in many different venues and settings, highlights have been opening the Bath Abbey concert series in 2011, which premiered an extended line up featuring Mike Daniels on Trumpet and Simon Marsh on Saxophones; Glastonbury Abbey for the Bath and Wells 1100th Anniversary celebrations, Bath international music festival, and a performance at the Wiltshire Music Centre with Cantamus Choir. Adam was interviewed on BBC Radio Gloucestershire, and you can listen again on the samples page.
Adam Biggs - Piano
Adam Biggs leads Adam's Apple and is a pianist and music educator. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he graduated from the Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Jazz piano performance in 1994. He travelled extensively from January 1995 to December 1998, returning to Adelaide and living there until 2003. He recorded his first CD When Lights Are Low in January 2003 and returned to Bath, England in July 2003.
Adam has played and worked with many musicians including – Iain Ballamy, Derek Nash, Andy Sheppard, Clare Teal, Jamie Cullum and Geoff Simkins. He is the founder of biggsound and has published The Fabulous Baker Boys Songbook, a book of sheet music transcriptions from the film, and The Circle of Fifths, a unique music learning tool.
Adam is also a member of the Bath & Wells Diocesan Music Planning Group, led by Graham Dodds, which explores and plans the use of music throughout the Diocese.
Adam also lectures in Jazz Performance, Theory, Aural and Harmony at Bath Spa University and teaches Jazz at Bath University. He is also an accomplished organist and plays regularly in Bath, United Kingdom.
Adam has played and worked with many musicians including – Iain Ballamy, Derek Nash, Andy Sheppard, Clare Teal, Jamie Cullum and Geoff Simkins. He is the founder of biggsound and has published The Fabulous Baker Boys Songbook, a book of sheet music transcriptions from the film, and The Circle of Fifths, a unique music learning tool.
Adam is also a member of the Bath & Wells Diocesan Music Planning Group, led by Graham Dodds, which explores and plans the use of music throughout the Diocese.
Adam also lectures in Jazz Performance, Theory, Aural and Harmony at Bath Spa University and teaches Jazz at Bath University. He is also an accomplished organist and plays regularly in Bath, United Kingdom.
Ben Groenevelt - Double Bass
Ben is a veteran of over thirty touring and West End productions including WEST SIDE STORY , CHICAGO , CHESS and SOME LIKE IT HOT . Recently he has toured extensively in Europe and America with the West End production THE RAT PACK- Live at the Sands. As a jazz bassist Ben has appeared in concert with Gerard Presencer , Alan Barnes and Andy Sheppard while as a classical player Ben has worked with Hayley Westenra , Bath Philharmonia , The Emerald Ensemble and the Archduke Trio. For the past few years Ben has studied solo repertoire with noted classical bass soloist DAVID HEYES and has also begun to teach ; Ben is double bass specialist with Bristol Arts and Music Service and is a visiting teacher at Clifton College and Bath Spa University .
Rob Brian - Drums/Percussion
Rob was taught by his father who himself was a jazz drummer in the UK in the 1960's. Rob has played all over the world and has worked with many artists including HUGH CORNWELL, COATI MUNDI, ANDY SHEPPARD and PETER GABRIEL. Since July 2007 Rob has been working and touring with the punk icon SIOUXSIE SIOUX which has again taken him all over the world and on her new DVD release 'Mantaray and more tour'. He has also appeared on LATER WITH JOOLS HOLLAND, THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW, MTV, CHANNEL 4 'TRANSMISSION' and BBC RADIO 1 and 2 SESSIONS. He has been interviewed and featured by the UK drum magazine RHYTHM and is one of the featured drummers on several tutorial DVD's. He is a respected teacher and has given clinics and workshops both in the U.K and in Europe and whilst not on tour teaches at BATH SPA UNIVERSITY and City Of Bath College.
