Adam Larson Workshop
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 10:30 am to 12:30 pm · The Blue Room
On Saturday morning, October 10, saxophonist Adam Larson spends two hours in the Blue Room teaching improvisation, composition, and the music business. He’s been invited to present masterclasses on all three at more than a hundred universities, including the University of Cape Town, Yale, and the University of North Texas.
He’ll demonstrate improvisation, have participants play for him and with him, and leave room for questions, so bring your instrument. Participants also receive a PDF covering the material he goes over.
Blue Room audiences have heard him play six times since 2024, most recently with his quartet on August 14.
He’s the author of twelve books of jazz etudes and four online courses, the newest course The Magic of Melody (2025). DownBeat gave With Love, From Chicago (2022), one of his nine albums as a leader, 4.5 stars. He’s written more than 200 tunes for his own groups and more than thirty commissioned works for school jazz ensembles. The Illinois Music Educators Association commissioned him to write its All-State composition for the 2020 convention, where he also directed the Honors Jazz Band.
He moved from New York to Kansas City in 2019, and the week he closed on his house, the UMKC Conservatory offered him a job; he went to work teaching saxophone lessons and music business. He also wrote Practical Stuff for Survival: A Musician’s Guide to Freelancing and built a course called Music Business Bootcamp.
The workshop is open to musicians on any instrument and in any style, from middle school students to working players. Band directors and teachers are encouraged to bring their students.
The details
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 10:30 am to 12:30 pm The Blue Room · 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 $20 students and educators · $35 general admission
Kansas City Jazz Academy students attend free and don’t need a ticket; Jazz Academy teachers will check you in at the door.
If you teach, or you know a band director whose students should be in the room, please pass this along.
The Blue Room · 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 americanjazzmuseum.org