Kris Adams

Like many jazz singers of her generation, Kris Adams combines her singing with a full teaching schedule. As an Army "brat," Adams bounced around both within and outside the U.S., finally settling in Connecticut in 1987. Listening to Chick Corea, Return to Forever and other fusion greats fired up her interest in jazz. Her first professional gig was with Talking Drums, a Latin jazz band, in Hartford, CT in 1977. Saxophonist Thomas Chapin used to sit in with the group before moving on to Rutgers. In 1979, Adams moved to Boston to attend Berkelee College of Music and graduated in 1982. While in Boston, she worked with various local groups. Returning to school, she received a Masters Degree from New England Conservatory in 1993. During this time she studied with reed master Jimmy Giuffre, keyboard artist Paul Bley and vocalist Dominique Eade. After receiving her MA, Adams started teaching at the prestigious Berkelee College of Music as well as at New England Conservatory and Wellesley College. She received a grant to finance the 1999 release of her This Thing Called Love on her Jazzbird label. Her approach to the play list on this session reflects the styles and jazz singing mannerisms of those who have influenced her the most, Elis Regina, Ursula Dudziak and Norma Winstone. Thus, while there are many familiar songs on her album, they are sung in a decidedly offbeat, but interesting manner. Adams is not a typical songbird, but one who stretches herself requiring listeners to open their ears. Those who do will find the rewards many and great. In 2002, Adams returned with Weaver of Dreams.