Jazz at the Vaults: Bruce Adams - Trumpet

Originally Bruce wanted to be a guitarist but proved so inept that his Father bought him a trumpet. Within 5 months he was gigging with local bands and at the age of 14 won a Hughie Green Opportunity Knocks. More “prestigious” awards were to follow, “Best Trumpet and outstanding musician” for 1982 Holston Jazz Journal festival followed two years later by the “best soloist” prize in the BBC Big Band Competition.  

In 1990, Bruce released his first solo Album, "One Foot In The Gutter", followed shortly afterwards by "Sidesteppin" with saxophonist Alan Barnes. The next quintet album was "Let's Face The Music”, followed by another quartet Album "Good Bait", recorded live at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. Also in the record portfolio is a duo album recorded with pianist Brian Dee, entitled "All the way". The current quintet album" Spontaneous Combustion" is the latest contribution from the quintet. Bruce’s latest quartet album “As Sure As You’re Born” was recorded in France with guitarist Tony Marshall, legendary bassist Spike Heatley and drummer Malcolm Mortimore, and is currently available on Mainstem records.

Bruce also features on Alan Barnes Octet Albums - "The Sherlock Holmes Suite", "The Marbella Suite", " Songs for Unsung Heroes", "The Seven ages of Jazz" and "Harlem Air Shaft" and Alan’s latest Johnny Hodges project, (yet to be named or released) with Ken Peplowski.

Bruce's big band career includes Drinking with the “ Scottish Radio Orchestra”, “The Tommy Sampson Big Band”,” The Kenny Baker Dozen”, The” BBC Big Band”, ”Echoes of Ellington”, The” Don Lusher Big Band” and one of the last concerts of the” Ted Heath Band” under the direction of Don Lusher.

Bruce has also featured as guest soloist with the “BBC Big Band”, The “Fat Chops Big Band” and “MYJO”

Often a regular nominee in the British Jazz Awards, Bruce won the Top Trumpet prize in 2000, 2006 and 2008 and placed in the top 5 again in 2010.