Myron’s Cabaret at The Smith Center, August 22
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Grammy and Emmy-nominated trumpeter and arranger Greg Adams joins the conversation ahead of his August 22nd performance with East Bay Soul in Myron’s Cabaret at The Smith Center. From picking up the trumpet at an early age to taking over his high school band, Greg shares how his self-taught arranging skills led him to become a founding member of Tower of Power. He takes us behind the scenes of iconic moments—joining Elton John for the legendary Caribou sessions, working in the storied Capitol Records building, arranging with Quincy Jones, collaborating with George Martin, and why Linda Ronstadt holds a special place in his heart.
Greg opens up about his “chameleon” approach to arranging—blending seamlessly with a singer’s voice, knowing when less is more, and drawing inspiration from greats like Nelson Riddle. He reflects on “Back to Oakland” as his favorite Tower of Power album, his ability to balance the energy of live performance with the precision of studio work, and the joy of creating his latest album, “The Real,” with East Bay Soul,. Plus, he hints at why Las Vegas might just become a regular stop on his musical journey.
ABOUT
Grammy- and Emmy-nominated trumpeter and arranger Greg Adams is instantly recognizable for one of the most distinctive musical signatures in the world. A founding member of Tower of Power, Adams helped create the legendary horn arrangements that made the TOP horn section one of the most in-demand in the industry. Across five decades, he has recorded ten solo albums, fourteen albums with Tower of Power, and performed on more than 3,000 recordings spanning jazz, pop, rock, R&B, soul, and funk. With his band, East Bay Soul, Adams continues to blend genres effortlessly, as heard on “The Real”—a vibrant collection of nine original songs featuring powerhouse horns, lush strings, soulful vocals, and an all-star rhythm section.
Greg’s horn and string arrangements have appeared on more than 40 RIAA-certified Gold albums and multiple multi-Platinum releases. His credits read like a Hall of Fame roll call, including collaborations with Sir Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Santana, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt, Luther Vandross, Chicago, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and B.B. King. His work is also woven into pop culture—from the theme of “The Late Show with David Letterman” to film scores for Top Gun, Austin Powers in Goldmember, and Duets, as well as projects with legends like Stanley Clarke and Sir George Martin. Whether on stage or in the studio, Greg Adams continues to bring his unmistakable sound and musical mastery to audiences worldwide.