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Congruent Music Co. serves as a music-management company, booking John Adams' music groups at festivals, concert series, colleges, churches, and special events of all kinds.
This powerful yet elegant ensemble performs a wide spectrum from originals, standards and smooth-jazz, to arrangements of contemporary pop and movie themes. Led by bassist and composer John Adams, The JOHN ADAMS GROUP is comprised of some of the finest, most versatile studio/jazz musicians and vocalists in the Southwest. Their performances in a variety of configurations, from duo to six-piece, have included a noteworthy three and a half year stint at Dallas' prestigious Crescent Court Hotel. They regularly appear at festivals, concert series, colleges, churches, and special events of all kinds in the DFW-area and throughout Texas and the southern U. S.
As an accomplished acoustic and electric bassist, John Adams is one of the Southwest's most in-demand jazz, pop and studio musicians. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas where he also served as the jazz bass professor for ten years. John has backed vocalists Mel Torme and Rosemary Clooney, and jazz stars such as Woody Herman, Randy Brecker, Carl Fontana, Chet Baker, Clark Terry, Dave Liebman and others. His broad musical background has also included extensive pop, orchestral, and show work, such as The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Ballet Orchestra, and Dallas Summer Musicals. Adams has released five striking recordings: "Jump Shot," ('96) featuring New York and regional musicians, "Fly By Night," ('99) the acclaimed "With You In Mind," ('01) which features top musicians from Dallas, Austin and L.A., "The John Adams Group - Live!" ('04). The latest release, "Trios," ('06) features five different combinations of spectacular jazz trio performances, and received airplay on over 160 stations nationwide.
Jason Bucklin's rare and powerful blend of expressiveness, virtuosity and passion in an extremely wide range of styles has made it's on the Dallas music scene for over 20 years. He has performed with groups of many genres including Bill Tillman, Eric Tagg, Cafe Noir, and jazz artists such as Joe McBride, James Clay, Marchel Ivery, and Shelley Carroll. He is also one of Dallas' most recorded guitarists, appearing on hundreds of regional and national commercials, and independent CD-releases. Jason Bucklin is equally at home on electric or acoustic guitars, as well as the electric bass, and has performed regularly with numerous pop-cover bands and country-music artists. He currently maintains a large studio of private guitar students in Garland, TX.
Delighting audiences across America for more than 20 years, Scott Bucklin is one of Dallas' most talented and popular entertainers. A classically-trained jazz pianist and vocalist, Scott is also a versatile and engaging performer with an impressive range of musical selections, from jazz standards to classic rock. Requested personally by clients such as Dennis Hopper, Gary Busey, and Don Carty (former Chairman of American Airlines), Scott also spent six years as the celebrated house pianist at Sofia's on Broadway, in the heart of New York City. Upon moving to Dallas in 1993, Scott was named Musical Director for Sipango, where he created one of the city's top music venues and hottest party scenes. He also founded a top-flight variety band, "Cuvee" and he now currently performs at private parties, nightclubs and corporate events throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and beyond.
Originally from Durban, S. Africa, drummer Mike Drake has performed and recorded music of virtually every style and genre. Mike's driving and musical approach have placed him in concerts backing an array of artists such as Rosemary Clooney, The Fifth Dimension, The Platters, The Inkspots, The Mamas and the Papas, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Kenny Rankin. Mr. Drake has also performed with numerous touring groups, house-bands, such as at the Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room, as well as musical productions and on commercial recordings and jingles. He also has extensive experience as an arranger and writer, and is one of the region's premier drum set instructors at colleges and universities such as The University of North Texas, Eastfield College, and Texas Wesleyan University.
James Kings is an accomplished vocalist and keyboardist, deeply-rooted in classical music, gospel, R & B, and jazz. His seemingly effortless vocals convey a beautiful mix of power and grace. James has accompanied nationally acclaimed gospel artists such as Andre Crouch, BeBe Winans, Thomas Whitfield, Lamar Campbell, Byron Cage, and others. He has also performed and toured with a host of Dallas-area jazz artists including Tom Braxton (whom he worked with alongside bassist John Adams), W.T. Greer, Martha Burks, Keith Anderson, Cindy Hortsman, and Joe Vincelli. James Kings made a notable "cameo" appearance on Adams' "With You In Mind" CD, with his soaring vocal on the tune "Nature Boy." Along with freelance vocal and keyboard work, including performing with the John Adams Group, James is currently the music director at Mount Hebron Baptist Church, Garland, TX.
Producer, composer, and educator Noel Johnston has performed and/or recorded with local and international musicians such as Alex Acuna, Joey Baron, Ignacio Berroa, Vinnie Colaiuta, Wayne Delano, Sheila E., John Adams, Dan Haerle, Fred Hamilton, Pete LaRoca, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Monica Mancini, Adam Nussbaum, The One O'Clock Lab Band, Lynn Seaton, Ed Soph, Paul Tynan, Bill Watrous, Gary Willis, and Kenny Wheeler.? Noel is currently on faculty as a Jazz Guitar instructor at the University of North Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Studio/Jazz Guitar from the University of Southern California and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. He has previously served on the faculty at Wesley Institute for Ministry & the Arts in Sydney, Australia, and in 2006 founded Lone Star Music Academy, a first-rate private instructional facility in Flower Mound, TX.
As a member of the Kirk Whalum Band since 1994, Sean has played venues and festivals from worldwide, including numerous TV appearances. His talent also has supported the tours of other artists such as Lee Ann Rhimes, George Duke, Joe Sample, Jonathan Butler, Boney James, Philippe Saisse, Jeff Golub, Bobby Lyle, Bernard Wright, Peter White, Rick Braun, Marc Antoine, and others. Sean's skill and versatility also frequently places him on jingle and commercial recording sessions, as well as backing a vast spectrum of local DFW-artists and composers such as Tom Faulkner, Anna Grey, Jim Hodges, Joe McBride, Tom Braxton, and Keith Anderson. McCurley is a Yamaha drums Artist/Endorser, and is gaining a national reputation for his technique, sensitivity, energy, and versatility.
Brian is one of the most sought-after studio/commercial writers and keyboardists in the southwest. First as a vice-president and writer for Axcess Broadcasting Inc., and now as owner of his own production company (BPM) he has written and recorded literally thousands of pieces of music for everything from jingles to films to albums. Illustrative of Piper's musical diversity is his long-standing position he held as pianist for country star Jerry Jeff Walker. Piper has played and conducted for a vast array of local and international artists and groups, including Rosemary Clooney, Eartha Kitt, Cab Calloway, Joel Grey, Kris Kristofferson, The Ink Spots, The Dallas Summer Musicals, and the Vocal Majority. He is also the assistant Music Director and arranger at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX. Brian brings a wonderful combination of virtuosity, creativity, and musical integrity to every performance.
