” I can add to the list the outstanding showmanship of Australian jazz heroes, Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys” – Australian stage
Adam Hall is an accomplished Trumpeter, Vocalist and Composer based in Perth, Australia. He began playing in 1990 at the age of ten, and later studied the craft at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. Adam is also competent in playing the Trombone, Alto Sax, Piano, Euphonium, Mellophonium, and a little bit of Bass and Drums for good measure.
In his early career Adam played at the Sydney Olympics and was Artist in Residence at Southbridge Jazz Club, Singapore. He has worked with numerous talents such as: James Morrison, Don Burrows, 45-year-long former leader of the Count Basie Orchestra Frank Foster, Shirley Horn’s band, Vanessa Amorosi and Grace Knight, to name just a few.
Adam has since made tours to Europe and various cities all over the world including Singapore, Boston, New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles. He has performed throughout Germany at the Jazzclub Rheingau, Yorckschlösschen, Ratskeller Köpenick and on the Rhein River, and played at the Rockin’ Race Jamboree in Spain and the Metropol in Vienna. Adam was a guest musician in Jeremy Monteiro’s Merry Bebop: A Jazzy Christmas for 2013 and headlined the opening night of the Berne Jazz & Blues Sessions in Switzerland in 2014 with Lillian Boutte and members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, 2015 opened for UB40 and Nile Rodgers, made an extensive tour to Hong Kong and sold out shows at SingJazz in Singapore.
Adam Hall features on Bluesin’ The Groove’s 2013 album ‘Mess Around’, which won Blues Album of the Year in Germany and ranked number 5 in the international list.
In 2005 he formed a classic Rhythm & Blues band, ‘Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys’. The band is an institution of the Australian vintage music scene and renowned for its captivating live performances, marked by slick presentation and raw energy. Alongside Adam (Vocals, Trumpet) it features some of Western Australia’s finest musicians, including:
Mark Turner (Guitar)
Anthony Dodos (Trombone)
Bronton Ainsworth (Drums)
Kane Shaw (Double Bass)
Tim Voutas (Keys)
The band’s repertoire is rooted in the Jazz and Rhythm & Blues music of the 40’s and 50’s, from artists such as Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Sammy Davis Junior, Harry Connick Junior, Jackie Wilson, Chuck Berry and The Blues Brothers. They also include a large library of Adam Hall originals and unique arrangements, which can be found on their four albums:
I’ve Got News For You (2007, feat. Big Jay McNeely)
When It’s Party Time Down South (2011, feat. Richard Jackson and Rick Smith)
It’s You, It’s Me (2012, feat. Jessie Gordon)
The Rhythm Spectacular – The Music of Beyoncé (2014, feat. Jessie Gordon and Yara Neto) (Sold Out Run – 7 nights in a row), With You (2016 – full length release)
‘Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys’ was nominated for Best Jazz Act in the 2010 West Australian Music Industry awards, and have been a hit at major festivals and events around Australia: The Narooma Great Southern Blues Festival (NSW), Wintersun(Qld), MLX (VIC), Alice Springs Cup Ball (NT), Fairbridge Folk Festival, Shinju Matsuri Pearl Festival, and Bridgetown Blues (all WA).
In 2008 they toured with legendary US Rhythm & Blues saxophonist Big Jay McNeely and played shows with legends Syl Johnson and Betty Harris and opened for artists such as UB40 and Nile Rogers. They performed throughout Europe in 2013, playing at the Blue Note (Osnabruck, Germany), Aachner Vieher (Cologne, Germany), Grand Blues Jam (Bergkamen, Germany), Vienna Blues Festival (Austria), Les Caveau de Augustins (Bayonne, France), Rockin Race Jamboree (Spain), Le Groot Verlof (Belgium), Benenwerk (Belgium), red ballroom (Berlin), blue note (Dresden), Bergmannstrassefest (Germany), Sultan Jazz Club (Singapore), maritime museum (Hong Kong), Hyatt (Hong Kong), united exhange square (Hong Kong) and the City concert hall (Hong Kong),
As Louis Prima said: “We just want to play pretty music for the people.”
‘Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys’ CD’s are available on iTunes and CD Baby, at any of their live gigs, online at www.adamhall.com.au or via email: adam@adamhall.com.au
Videos
Sure looks good to me (2017)
https://youtu.be/zc9B7519dGY
With you (2016)
https://youtu.be/DNRKi0Ee0KM
Showreel (2012)
https://vimeo.com/61398423
Bootylicious (2014)
http://youtu.be/Xoe9GMpruN8
Big Jay McNeely (2012)
http://youtu.be/VU9ENdu9fAc
Singjazz (2017)
https://youtu.be/tXCDW1hTJ9w
Europe (2017)
https://drive.google.com/opeid=0BzKuUcXXMWFkbGp4N29yVTV4YWn?M
Masterclasses
hong kong. https://youtu.be/f-lBHXUVHjw
South Australia https://youtu.be/Mar8Urw-A9k
Sydney
https://vimeo.com/218116256
AWARDS
2012 WAMI award Jazz finalist
2013 Bluesnews Poll 2013 Winner BEST ALBUM (national – German)
2013 Bluesnews Poll 2013 5th overall (international)
2014 WA Winner of Fringe World music award
2019 FringeWorld music Award
Reviews
“I’ve been told that jazz is an open-ended kind of music, designed for an open kind of mind. One doesn’t realise the magical potential of jazz until they’ve heard the dynamic sound that is Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys” – West Australian
“Beautiful booths, bodies and a well stocked bar added to that the musical styling of Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys, resulting in a dapper evening indeed” – Colosoul (Australian)
“The night started off with the smooth sounds of Adam Hall a local and incredibly talented Jazz musician from Western Australia . An extremely multitalented musician/vocalist Adam started to learn music at the young age of 10 and has pocketed over his years of refinement instruments like the Trumpet, Trombone, Alto Sax, Piano, Euphonium, Mellophonium plus a little of the bass and some drums. Adam and members of the Velvet Playboys entertained the crowd with an upbeat, crisp and energetic performance that had the crowd up on their feet , dancing up a storm and setting a high bar to follow” – Epoch Times (Japanese)
“There is a young man in a silvery suit casual in the spotlight, the hand in the pocket, the other holds a trumpet, from his mouth sources sounds, as you once knew Louis Armstrong you will know Adam Hall.” – Noz.de (German)
“Irresistable” – Gerd Wieben, Blue Note Germany
“This bluesful version is a showcase for Adam’s delightful trumpet playing, working a crowd. Adam with the Velvet Playboys show his ability and versatility, capturing different moods of jazz, blues and jumping R&B.” – Review of Let’s Boogaloo, Grand Blues Jam Garbsen Hanover.
” I can add to the list the outstanding showmanship of Australian jazz heroes, Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys” – Australian stage
“A satisfied crowd exited happily to swarm the gracious Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys… Good luck punters this is a night to cherish.” – Australian Stage
“A modern swing band with their flare and energy absolutely captivating the audience the entire night” – the Yum List, Malaysia
“Tireless, laidback – frankly magical – Jackson sounded in his element as he reached for, and touched, the stars” – review of Satisfied CD, Neville Cohn (Chief Arts Writer for the West Australian)
“Adam Hall that ace and tireless trumpeter, bobbing and weaving to rhythms that were clearly an invitation to everyone else in the theatre to rise from their seats and surrender to the Muse” Neville Cohn (Chief Arts Writer for the West Australian)
“abundant good humour, lofty musical standards – and unambiguous audience approval. Onstage and off, with much wizardry on keyboards, and an abundance of lavishly stylish work on trombone” Neville Cohn (Chief Arts Writer for the West Australian)
