Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Laten John Adams was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 5, 1932 the oldest of ten children and became a professional musician after leaving school. He began his career-singing gospel with the Soul Revivers and Bessie Griffin’s Consolators, but crossed over to secular music in 1959. He recorded Dorothy LaBostrie’s “I Won’t Cry” on the RIC label and produced by teenager Mac Rebennack a.k.a. Dr. John who would later give him a #27 hit in 1962 with “A Losing Battle”.

In 1963, Adams went on to record for Modern Records and Watch Records with limited success until he signed with SSS International. Having three hits on the billboard charts and an album “Heart and Soul” he moved unsuccessfully to other labels like Atlantic and Ariola. During this period he held down a regular gig at Dorothy’s Medallion Lounge in New Orleans and toured the southern nightclub circuit.

In 1983 signing with Rounder Records, Johnny recorded a series of nine critically acclaimed albums beginning with “From the Heart” in 1984, encompassing a wide range of jazz, blues and R&B styles while highlighting Adams’ voice. By 1991 “The Real Me” album brought him a number of accolades, including a W.C. Handy Award. He began touring internationally, working and recording with such musicians as Aaron Neville, Harry Connick Jr. Lonnie Smith and Dr. John.

Johnny Adams, jazz, blues and gospel singer, passed away on September 14, 1998 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after a long battle with prostate cancer.

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