Originally from Decatur, IL, Adam Blakey is a freelance saxophonist and educator in Greater Houston. Adam attended Millikin University to study saxophone with Dr. Perry Rask and played in the top jazz and classical ensembles. He won multiple soloist awards at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival, as well as two Downbeat awards while he was in the Latin Jazz Project and OneVoice.

After graduating from Millikin University, Adam continued his studies at the University of Northern Colorado, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Jazz Studies Department. While at UNC, Adam had the opportunity to play lead alto in the Vanguard Combo and the UNC Jazz Lab Band I, which won the Large Jazz Ensemble category in the 2016 Downbeat Awards during his tenure. He also had the chance to participate in Lab I’s Romeo and Juliet Project. As a teaching assistant, Adam directed Jazz Lab Band V and Yoshi’s Combo, both of which performed at the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival.

Adam currently maintains a private studio of high school saxophonists in Greater Houston. Many of his students have successfully auditioned into TMEA Region bands and jazz bands. He also works as a woodwinds masterclass and jazz ensemble clinician for high schools in the area.