BIOGRAPHY

Born in Oakland, California, Adam J. Ivey is an accomplished classically trained pianist, composer, and arranger. 

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Adam first laid his hands on a piano at the age of 6. After his grandfather passed, Adam's grandmother bought a piano and her purchase included three free lessons at the local Bay Area mall's piano store. During the final lesson, Adam sat down to play a tune – it was at that moment his gift was realized. 

 

Adam's ability to hear music could have turned out much differently. Born deaf in his left ear, Adam underwent a procedure to correct his hearing at 3-years-old. By the age of seven, he played the piano regularly at his church in Berkeley and was awarded the top prize for his classical music performance at his first recital with the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM). While continuing to grasp a deeper understanding of all genres of music – including classical, gospel, jazz, and R&B – Adam participated in several conventions and served as the East Bay area youth pianist for NANM. In between travels, Adam's piano teacher, who led The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, continued to nurture his gift with a framework of skills that he'd sharpen throughout his career. At 12-years-old Adam was awarded a full, multi-year scholarship to attend the Young Musicians Program at UC Berkeley for Composition, Singing and Piano. That same year, he was awarded $1,000 by the Hilltop Pops Orchestra for his concert pianist performance. A few years later, Adam studied in business and finance while he continued to focus on choral directing and musical arrangement. 

 

His background in ethnomusicology, classical piano performance and instruction, classical and jazz theory, and proficiency in composition and arrangement, has afforded Adam opportunities to compose, perform and engage with music in a way he describes as nothing short of a blessing. With a broad portfolio of music instruction, Adam has brought a uniquely enriched expertise to school music programs nationwide, including affluent schools in Napa Valley and Texas. Always active in his church, Adam has held many titles including Minister of Music, Adult and Youth Chorus Director, and Principal Organist, over the past three decades. His diversified musical background and ability to read music allows him to perform both structured and freestyle pieces as a concert pianist, in stage productions, and in studio sessions. His first full jazz project, "Just Jazz", which he composed and arranged during the pandemic, has received international reception, with worldwide digital streaming and radio play, in addition to his other cross-genre solo music projects. He continues to perform as a concert pianist and with his band, Adam J. Ivey Band. When not instructing or performing, Adam serves as a contracted studio musician - something he's familiar with - his background includes composing and performing with both Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists.

 

Deeply rooted in his faith and an insatiable love for playing music, Adam firmly believes that with Christ all things are possible.