Larson to Perform at CSC Thursday May 19

Carl Sandburg College will host Rico Reeds performing artist Adam Larson at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, in the Fine Arts Theatre located in Building F on the Main Campus in Galesburg. The evening line-up for the Adam Larson Quintet features Larson on saxophone, John Raymond on trumpet, Nils Weinhold on guitar, Raviv Markovitz on bass, and Bastian Weinhold on drums.

Larson is originally from Normal, Ill., and the CSC concert is one stop of many during a Midwest tour unofficially dubbed the “Stomping Grounds” tour. Larson’s connection to Galesburg is notable in that he is the grandson of the late Jack Larson, who passed away April 2010. This concert marks Larson’s first performance in Galesburg since the death of his grandfather.

Larson began performing at age 13 with his father John and grandfather Jack to do charitable shows at area venues such as The Orpheum Theatre. Proceeds from these events went to such things as Project Shoes, a fundraiser to provide footwear to youth in need. “My grandfather was just an unbelievable role model to me, and that’s the reason my father is a role model to me – he (Jack) raised a great child,” said Larson. “I was incredibly close to my grandfather. He was a big part of my life. He paid for my lessons when I was first getting started and taught me every step of the way. It’s been a blessing to have had him in my life.”

Now 21 years of age, Larson has played extensively throughout the U.S. as well as on tours to Holland, Paris, and Germany. As a member of various groups, he has performed at such venues as The North Sea, Monterey, Iowa City, and Telluride Jazz Festivals. In addition to these festivals, he has performed at The Jazz Gallery in New York City, the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., the 50th Annual Grammy Awards Gala in Los Angeles, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York, and the Chicago Jazz Showcase and the House of Blues in Chicago.

At age 19 he was described by critic Howard Reich of The Chicago Tribune as “a player for whom the word ‘prodigious’ was coined.” Larson has garnered numerous awards that showcase his abilities as a performer and a composer, including being selected as a winner of the 2010 Yahama Young Performing Artist Competition for Jazz Saxophone. He is also a member of the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts Jazz Fellows Sextet, receiving the Silver Award for Jazz Saxophone; a member of the prestigious 2009 Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble; 2007 and 2008 Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra; 2007 and 2008 Jazz Band of America; 2008 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency Program; 2008 Telluride Student Jazz All-Stars; winner of the Jupiter XO Solo Competition; and was one of fifteen invitees to the 2006 Steans Institute for Young Artists at Ravinia, Chicago, Ill. Larson was also featured in the April 2008 edition of Saxophone Journal.

Admission to the show is $5. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the CSC music hotline at (309) 341-5238 or music@sandburg.edu. For more information on Larson, visit www.adamlarsonjazz.com.