BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in New York City, Adam Schultz is a jazz and blues guitarist, fusing the two genres in his own unique style. Growing up in the Big Apple has exposed Adam to some incredible teachers. As an avid participant in his high school music program, Adam was nurtured by the same four music teachers for over six years. He took two weekly guitar lessons and participated in the Avenues Jazz Band.

By the time Schultz was 14, he was playing onstage with prominent musicians. Clarence Spady, an award winning blues musician, took him under his wing and let Schultz guest at his regular Terra Blues gigs in New York City. Danny Schultz (a relative), who stepped in to fill Jerry Garcia’s shoes for several years in the JGB Band after Garcia died, played ten shows with Adam over the summers of 2016 – 2018.

Over the past four years Clarence has mentored Adam and they have developed a special bond. Spady, a two time Blues Music Awards nominee, took notice of Schultz when he was 14 and has been a huge influence ever since. As Spady states, “The kid could really play and had the whole package. I felt like I was listening to myself when I was 15. One night at a gig four years ago, Douglas Schultz approached me and asked if I would give his 14 year old a lesson. I ended up giving Adam a lesson and was so impressed I invited him to sit in with me that night at Terra Blues in New York City.”

In 2019, Adam was selected to be the guitar player in the jazz band for the NYC High School Honors Music Festival. He was selected again in 2020 but the Festival was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Schultz released his debut CD, Soulful Distancing, July 16th, 2021 on the Blue Heart Records label.

Schultz’s debut CD is a collection of eleven tracks including five Schultz originals. In addition to Spady, other artists include Adam Cohen on bass (Ray Charles, Engelbert Humperdinck), Robert O’Connell on keyboards, Sharon O’Connell on drums, Tom Hamilton on sax (Dizzy Gillespie, The Temptations), and Scott Brown on piano. Ekat Pereyra adds sparkling vocals to the track “Have Some Faith” and Michael Angelo sings Adam’s other four originals. Jon Ventre plays bass on two songs and Pat Marcinko adds percussion.

Preceding Adam’s release is Spady’s new CD, Surrender, on NOLA Blue Records, which features the young New York guitarist and songwriter on three tracks, "If Life Was a Book", "Down Home Blues" and "Good Conversation”, a Schultz original.

Adam says, "I'm thrilled to join the Blue Heart Records family and can’t thank Clarence Spady enough for mentoring me over the past few years. Without him, none of this would of have been possible. I'm honored to have the support of Blue Heart and Sallie Bengtson. I look forward to a long relationship with them."

The debut disc has garnered some stunning early reviews. The Roots Music Report writes, “…the NYC-born guitarist displays a wise-beyond-his-years knack on his axe and equal sophistication as a songwriter…shows convincing signs that he could be a formidable presence in the contemporary blues scene before much more time passes. Blended in with a handful of well-executed covers are the young cat’s own stylish, very attention-worthy soul/blues offerings.” Rick J Bowen of Bluesnroots Corner writes, “…fine debut…songwriting depth beyond his young age…”