Dr. Todd Kelly is the Chair of the Department of Music at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Kelly teaches trumpet, directs the Bradley Jazz Ensembles and Hilltop Combo, teaches Jazz Improvisation, and serves as an advisor for the Music Business program. The jazz program at Bradley includes a big band, a New Orleans brass band, a combo, and courses in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz History.
Dr. Kelly maintains a busy performing schedule in the Central Illinois area with the Water Street Stompers, Brazilionaires, the Todd Kelly Jazz Quintet, the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, Four Other Brothers, JC and the Redemption, Inner Light, and as a freelance jazz and classical musician.
Originally from Normal, IL, Adam Larson is an American saxophonist, composer and author. An endorsed artist for P. Mauriat saxophones, The Boston Sax Shop and Key Leaves, Adam began playing saxophone at the age of 11.
Described by critic Howard Reich of The Chicago-Tribune as “a player for whom the word ‘prodigious’ was coined”, by Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen as “a saxophonist who brings Donny McCaslin and Mark Turner to mind”, and by Nate Chinen of The New York Times as “the sort of jazz musician who gets flagged early on as a promising talent and then hustles to meet every requirement for success”, Larson has garnered numerous awards that distinguish him as one of the most promising artists of his generation.
We are extremely proud to have serviced Adam's saxophones since he was in 5th grade and consider him a dear friend!
Born in Normal, Illinois, I began studying saxophone at the age of ten, primarily to impress my childhood friend, who told me that the saxophone was "the coolest instrument". Turns out he was right.
After graduating from high school I moved to Jacksonville, Florida to study under the legendary alto saxophonist and educator Bunky Green at the University of North Florida. Private study with the master left a lasting impression on me, and solidified my dedication to jazz saxophone. I will forever be grateful to the time I had with Bunky, and I highly encourage all of you to familiarize yourself with his recordings. Also during my time at UNF, I was able to perform with some of the greatest living jazz musicians of the time, including Dave Brubeck, Slide Hampton, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Jimmy Cobb, Kurt Elling, Ron Blake, and many more. This proximity to legends of the craft was an enormous inspiration to me, and I've been trying to live by their examples ever since.
After graduating in 2008, I made the move to New York City to pursue a Master's degree from Queens College, studying with Antonio Hart. Antonio drove home the importance of getting back to the basics: mastering the most basic elements of the instrument, such as scales and arpeggios, as well as the importance of a good sound and a good feel.
I perform on soprano, alto, tenor, and bass saxophone as well as clarinet and bass clarinet with a number of NYC-based ensembles.