Adam Glasser

Adam Glasser is a South African-born British jazz pianist, composer and internationally recognised chromatic harmonica player whose music is deeply rooted in the sounds and traditions of South African jazz.

Born in Cambridge, England, in 1955 while his father, South African composer and musical director Stanley ‘Spike’ Glasser, was studying at King’s College, Adam grew up in Johannesburg. His father’s work on the landmark musicals King Kong and Mr Paljas exposed him from an early age to South Africa’s vibrant jazz community. As a teenager, he spent time at Johannesburg’s Dorkay House, absorbing the music of artists including Barney Rachabane, Mackay Davashe and Ernest Mothle.

After graduating from Warwick University with a BA (Hons) in European Literature, Glasser moved to Paris in 1979, where he began seriously studying jazz piano. A semester at Berklee College of Music followed in 1981 before he settled in London, developing his career through his own groups and extensive freelance work.

By the mid-1980s he was playing regularly with South African jazz legend Dudu Pukwana and his band Zila. His composition August One appeared on Zila ’86 and has since entered the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music jazz syllabus. In 1990, Glasser became pianist and musical director of the legendary Manhattan Brothers, a role he held for 16 years. He subsequently produced their final album, Inyembezi, released by EMI South Africa in 2006.

Alongside his piano career, Glasser developed into one of Britain’s leading chromatic harmonica players. His distinctive playing has featured on recordings and film scores and in performances with artists including Sting, Stevie Wonder, the Eurythmics, Joe Zawinul, Incognito and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

His debut album, Free at First, won the 2010 South African Music Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, followed by the SAMA-nominated Mzansi. Across his career, Glasser has remained committed to connecting his South African musical heritage with the wider international jazz world.