Adam Smale and all that jazz

Former Algoma resident Adam Smale had a busy weekend in Sault Ste. Marie as he presented two jazz guitar master classes at Algoma University and Cases Music, and performed at both the Water Tower Pub and Loplops Lounge.

The seven-string jazz guitar virtuoso walked students through techniques on building solos and transitions during his Friday afternoon master class facilitated by Algoma U’s Department of Music.

“This has given me a lot of different ideas about how to build solos and improvising through jazz progressions,” said participant Elliott Nicholson. “This is a lot to think about as I’m trying to play.”

As a member of the Algoma University Jazz Ensemble, Nicholson said Smale’s instruction will come in very handy.

“We already have a great foundation in the music program here, but these little kicks in the butt technique wise are really important,” said Stephen Gagnon-Ruscio following the master class. “I was kind of in a spot a while ago where I was just happy with where I was. I had delusions of mediocrity. But this was really interesting.”

Smale grew up in the Bar River area of Algoma, and spent much of his time here performing in country bands.

He said music was his way of staying out of trouble in a region with not much for youngsters to do.

“You can have friends that get into trouble in various ways,” Smale explained, “but I chose to play guitar, and that kept me busy.”

He began playing in bands at the age of 12 before he even had a Social Insurance Number, which he needed in order to join the Musician’s Union.

“It just so happened that my first professional gigs were country,” he said. “Later in my teens, I branched off and played more rock and roll stuff.”

Smale’s transition into jazz happened by going to school, he told us, and following an artist recommendation from Eddie Van Halen.

That artist was Allan Holdsworth.

After Smale picked his jaw up off the floor, he decided he needed to explore that world of guitar and attended Humber College in Toronto.

“There’s something about jazz music… for me, once you start learning it, once you start playing it with other people, it kind of becomes addictive,” he said. “I never looked back.”

Smale now calls New York City home where he performs regularly.

Look for more from our interview with Adam Smale in an upcoming episode of Tuned on LOCAL2.

To keep up with Adam Smale, visit his official website.