about us

Congruent Music Co. has a threefold purpose:

1. An independent jazz record label which produces and promotes the high-level CD releases of jazz-artist/bassist/bandleader John Adams.

2. A music-management company, managing private function, concert, festival, and club bookings for John Adams' outstanding music groups.

3. A “one-stop-shop” for the music production, recording & arranging services of John Adams. In addition to relating to the purposes mentioned above, the Congruent Music Website also includes the added features of John's public performance schedule, information on his private instruction services, instructional articles, and musician humor. Browse our site at your convenience, and feel free to send us an email with feedback and/or any inquiry we may be able to help you with. We update the website frequently so stop by often!

Congruent Music was founded by John Adams. As an accomplished acoustic and electric bassist, John Adams is one of the Southwest's most versatile and in-demand jazz, pop and studio musicians. He currently leads various performing groups. John served as Music Director and performed weekly for three-and-a-half years at Dallas' prestigious Crescent Court Hotel. Adams holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas, where for ten years he was the jazz bass professor. He is also active as a producer/arranger, a composer, clinician, and an instructional author.

John has backed a wide array of artists from vocalists Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Wayne Watson, and Sandi Patti, to jazz artists such as Woody Herman, Randy Brecker, Marvin Stamm, Joe McBride, Bobby Lyle, Chet Baker, Clark Terry, Carl Fontana, and Dave Liebman. His broad musical background has also included extensive orchestral, pop, and show work.

Adams' debut CD, "Jump Shot," ('96) features New York and regional artists, and showcases his formidable writing skills. "Fly By Night" ('99) features members of John's exceptional acoustic-jazz quartet in an intimate club setting, and the compelling, "With You In Mind" CD ('01) was released nationwide, and features top musicians from Dallas, Austin, and L.A. "The John Adams Group - Live!" ('04) captures the intensity and variety of John's group in concert. “Trios,” (’06) features five different combinations of his jazz trios covering a broad spectrum of styles and striking arrangements of standards. It received airplay on over 160 stations nationwide. The latest release, “Thumbs Up,”(’09) is a full-fledged studio production with a fresh, contemporary sound, strong rhythms, rich harmonies, exciting originals and stunning arrangements of some surprising classics. Click here for John's Story.

John Adams' Main Musical Influences:
- On His Overall Musicianship: J. S. Bach, Chopin, L. V. Beethoven, F. Handel, Johann Strauss, Gustav Mahler, and Numerous other Classical Greats.
- On His Composing, Arranging And Producing: James Taylor, Quincy Jones, Joe Sample, Pat Metheny, Sting, Steely Dan.
- On His Jazz Playing: Bassists- Oscar Pettiford, Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, Scott Lafaro, Eddie Gomez, N. H. O. Pederson, Marc Johnson, Jimmy Garrison, Dave Holland, Gary Peacock, Mark Egan, Jaco Pastorius; Others- Charlie Parker, Bill Evans' Trios, Miles Davis' Groups, John Coltrane's Groups, George Coleman, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, Oscar Peterson Trio, Eliane Elias, The Duke Ellington, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis And Woody Herman Big Bands.
- On His Electric Bass Playing: Marcus Miller, Nathan East, John Patitucci, Jimmy Johnson, Niel Stubenhaus, Abraham Laboriel, Larry Graham, Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, Tommy Sims, Gary Lunn And Mike Brignardello (with various Nashville artists), Bobby Rodriguez (with Tito Puente).
- On His Jazz Writing: Duke Elllington, Thad Jones, Horace Silver, Cedar Walton, Bill Evans, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays, every standard he ever learned.

Some Recent Favorite Listening:
Bud Powell - "The Amazing Bud Powell"
Keith Jarrett - "At The Blue Note"
Mile Davis - "Milestones"