Adam Blackstone

The Man Behind the Music

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Nicki Minaj – Pound The Alarm (Live) on The Tonight Show

July 14, 2012 By webmaster

Performance on Tonight Show with Jay Leno, July 14, 2012 [Read more…]

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Exclusive Interview with Adam Blackstone on Korg.com

July 9, 2012 By webmaster

Check out the Exclusive Interview with Adam Blackstone on Korg.com!

“Adam Blackstone is an acclaimed musical director, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with countless high-profile artists throughout his career. He has been the MD for Eminem, Janet Jackson, Drake, Maroon 5, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and more, and has produced and performed on many amazing records, including Al Green’s Lay It Down, Jill Scott’s Beautifully Human, The Roots’ Game Theory, Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3, and Pharrell’s In My Mind. Adam was also featured on episodes of The Voice, where he appeared with judge Adam Levine from Maroon 5. More recently, Adam has worked as the musical director on the 2012 TV-Land Awards, the 43rd annual NAACP Image Awards, and he wowed audiences at the 2012 Coachella awards with hip hop icon Dr. Dre, a performance that also included the famed 2pac hologram.

As if his producing, performing, and his duties as musical director were not enough, Adam Blackstone also heads BASSic Black Entertainment, LLC (BBE). BBE was started in 2007 as a broad-based music company that specializes in live music production, musician staffing, artist development, and studio production. Cliental for BBE includes Chris Brown, John Legend, Eminem, Kanye West, Joe Jonas, and Keyshia Cole, amongst other prestigious artists. With all that and more on his résumé, Adam Blackstone is truly, as his website AdamBlackstone.com says, “The man behind the music.”

Adam Blackstone has been part of the Korg artist family for years and we’ve shared his adoration for Korg products, including the classic Korg Triton. We recently caught up with Adam to discuss his musical journey, his extraordinary career, and his new love for the Korg Kronos. Here’s what he had to say:

KORG: How did you begin your life journey in music?
Adam Blackstone:
My journey in music began growing up around a musical family. My father was a full-time keyboardist and my uncles and aunts all sang and played in the choir at my local churches, so I was around music 24/7.

KORG: You’ve been the musical director and an instrumentalist for so many high-profile artists like Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and more…is there any advice you can pass on to developing musicians, based on your diverse experiences?
AB:
I would like to say that it is less about talent and more about your character as a person. Secondly, be prepared for anything and everything, musically. I pride myself on being a good “people person” first because I always know there are many, many talented people out there… but it’s a matter of which ones that have the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to make any and every situation work.

KORG: How has the experience of MD for Dr. Dre been? How did you two hook up?
AB:
The Dr. Dre experience has been an epic one for me. We linked up about a year ago when he was our special guest during Eminem’s show! We hit it off and when it was time to get his live situation rolling, he reached out to me.

KORG: Are there any specific experiences from performing with Dre or Jay-Z in the past year that stick out in your mind?
AB:
Well we just did Jay-Z at Carnegie Hall. The juxtaposition of hip hop at the world famous opera house stands out because it seems like that would not make sense. We added a 40 piece orchestra and also wore tuxedos, so it was a classy evening. Of course for our Dr. Dre Coachella set, resurrecting Tupac stands out as a moment in history that will never be replicated. It took us over two months to film and score that four minute segment. If it weren’t for Korg and their many products, I don’t think it would have sounded as amazing as it did!

KORG: That’s so cool. Thanks, Adam! Are there any upcoming projects in the works that we should keep an eye and ear out for?
AB:
I am now MD’ing Rihanna so be on the lookout for her world tour soon! We are also developing Leah LaBelle, who is Pharrell and Jermaine Dupri’s new artist! And of course, we’re continuing to build the artists and brand of BASSic Black Entertainment, AKA #BBE.

KORG: Let’s get into some gear. You’ve used Korg synths and workstations throughout the years and you’re using the Kronos now. Do you have any favorite features?
AB:
The Kronos is one of a kind. Not only do the engines have the most amazing library, but the Smooth Sound Transition feature (SST) allows held or sustained notes to keep sounding when changing sounds or modes. I can’t forget about Set List mode, which helps me organize the programs, combos, and songs I need to perform a set in a single, easy-to-select screen – including performance notes!

KORG: What do you feel separates it from other workstations out there?
AB:
It’s the most hands on, yet easiest workstation out there. It feels like the classic Triton when you are writing a song!

KORG: Are there any other Korg products getting work from you in the studio or on stage? I believe we’ve seen the MS2000 and microKORG still out with you a lot, right?
AB:
The MS2000 will always be a favorite of mine. I feel that keyboard is in a class of its own when it comes to the phatness of the synth bass. And of course my secret weapon is the microKORG! I have used this for synth bass, SFX, leads, all at one point or another on every gig for the past 10 years, and I believe it will live on to see another 10 years STRONG!

KORG: Anything else you’d like to mention?
AB:
Please look out for me on this season of The X Factor with judge Demi Lovato. Also, follow me on Twitter @BASSicBlack!

Whether you are an up-and-coming musician, or in the professional market full time, Korg is a must in your arsenal!

KORG: Thanks, Adam!

For more info on Adam and BBE, be sure to visit www.adamblackstone.com and www.bassicblack.com”

Filed Under: Featured, News

MD Adam Blackstone produces Rihanna’s American Idol Finale Performance

May 24, 2012 By webmaster

MD Adam Blackstone produces the American Idol 2012 Finale performance with Rihanna.

[Read more…]

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2012 TV Land Awards with Music Director Adam Blackstone

May 3, 2012 By webmaster

Missed it? Watch the 2012 TV Lands Full Show NOW!

http://www.tvland.com/shows/tv-land-awards/full-episodes/2012-tv-land-awards?xrs=share_copy

___________________

About TV Land Awards

The 2012 TV Land Awards aired on TV Land April 29.The 10th Anniversary event honors the entire casts of Laverne and Shirley (Fan Favorite Award), Pee-wee’s Playhouse (Pop Culture Award), One Day at a Time (Innovator Award), In Living Color (Groundbreaking Award), and Murphy Brown (Impact Award). Aretha Franklin will receive the Icon Award and three-time GRAMMY Award-nominated music group The B-52s will set the mood for the evening, rocking out as the house band for the show.Laverne & Shirley still lives in the hearts of viewers everywhere and is the recipient of this years Fan Favorite Award, which goes to a series thats an All-American classic, with characters who became our friends, stories we could all relate to and irresistible laughs. This is the first time the cast of Laverne & Shirley will be reunited on television in nearly a decade. Laverne & Shirley aired on ABC for eight seasons from 1976-1983 and was a spinoff of the Garry Marshall hit Happy Days. But the show soon found its own avid fans, thanks to loveable stars Penny Marshall as Laverne De Fazio and Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney, who play best friends and roommates working in a Milwaukee brewery. Constantly annoyed by their neighbors, Leonard Lenny Kosnowski (Michael McKean) and Andrew Squiggy Squiggman (David L. Lander), Laverne and Shirley learn to navigate their lives as two single young women in 1950s Milwaukee and later in the series, 1960s Los Angeles.One Day At A Time is being presented with the Innovator Award, which is given to a television series that carved out new territory, tackled important issues of its day and helped re-defined its genre. The series, which was a hybrid drama/comedy, addressed such taboo topics as pre-marital sex, suicide, sexual harassment and more, breaking barriers and paving the way for future shows to tackle these issues as well. Developed and written in part by TV visionary Norman Lear, One Day At A Time aired on CBS for nine seasons from 1975-1984. Starring Bonnie Franklin, Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips as Ann Romano, Barbara Cooper and Julie Cooper, the series revolved around a family headed by a single mother (Franklin) that relocates to Indianapolis, where their new apartment building super, Dwayne Schneider (Pat Harrington Jr.), befriends them. Also taking part in the cast reunion is Glenn Scarpelli, who joined the series in 1980 as the son of Anns boyfriend, Nick.The cast and show creator behind the cutting-edge and witty CBS series, Murphy Brown Candice Bergen, Faith Ford, Joe Regalbuto, Charles Kimbrough, Grant Shaud and Diane English will be honored with the Impact Award. The honor is presented to a show that offered both entertainment and enlightenment, with comedy that reflected reality. The Fan Favorite Award is being presented to the cast of Laverne and Shirley. The series, which won viewers’ hearts, starred Cindy Williams, Penny Marshall as well as Michael McKean and David Lander, who will all be on hand to accept the award.The 22-time Emmy Award-winning childrens series, “Pee-wees Playhouse, ran on CBS for five seasons from 1986-1991 and has been a staple in pop culture for over 25 years. The title character is portrayed by actor and comedy icon, Paul Reubens, who created what is widely considered one of the most innovative and ground-breaking children’s programs in television history. Reubens’ wonderfully diverse and colorful playhouse filled with puppets, genies, robots, cowboys and pterodactyls sparked countless imaginations and brought joy and laughter to children and adults alike. The show has been named one of Top 25 Cult Shows Ever by TV Guide Magazine, and Pee-wee is more popular than ever with a hit Broadway show, HBO Special, and enormous social media following with millions of followers on Twitter and Facebook. Fittingly, Pee-wees Playhouse will receive the Pop Culture Award at the TV Land Awards 10th Anniversary ceremony.The Emmy Award-winning series In Living Color, which aired from 1990 to 1994, was written by, created by and starred Keenen Ivory Wayans, and also featured Jim Carrey, Tommy Davidson, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Kelly Coffield Park, Kim Wayans, TKeyah Crystal Keymah and David Alan Grier. Receiving the aptly-named Groundbreaking Award at this years TV Land Awards ceremony, the sketch comedy series was the first of its kind to break down barriers and feature a predominantly African-American cast. As the theme song suggested, the show where you could do what you want to do was full of unbridled creative energy, resulting in edgy and hilarious characters like Homey D. Clown, Fire Marshall Bill, Wanda, and Vera De Milo. The show coined as the first diverse hip-hop comedy, dance-sketch series on television by Entertainment Weekly also featured some of the greatest R&B and Hip-Hop musical artists of the 90s who frequently performed on the In Living Color stage. The series also starred gifted comedians Damon Wayans and Jamie Foxx.

The “TV Land Awards” pays tribute to classic and contemporary luminaries of television, music and movies. The 90-minute telecast hosted by Kelly Ripa will feature exhilarating musical performances and will reunite some of the most iconic celebrity TV casts. Presenters include esteemed journalist and news anchor Katie Couric and actress Fran Drescher, who will be on hand to pay homage to some of television and musics biggest stars.

Filed Under: Featured, News

Dr Dre: Live at Coachella 2012 (The Recipe)

April 23, 2012 By webmaster

Dr Dre and Kendrick Lamar: Live at Coachella 2012 highlights of the performance, “The Recipe”

[Read more…]

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Adam Blackstone Rocks Coachella 2012 with Dr Dre

April 19, 2012 By webmaster

Check out Music Director Adam Blackstone with headline artist Dr Dre at the 2012 Coachella festival!

“Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg closed down Coachella 2012 with a sprawling set that spanned throwback G-funk, all-time gangsta classics (thanks to that 2Pac hologram), stoner anthems (thanks to Wiz Khalifa and a blunt big enough to mellow out a rhinoceros) and new jams (like “The Recipe” with Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar). Eminem and 50 Cent showed up too, probably ranking the performance as the most star-studded ever to unfold at the festival. The beats pounded late into the night, filling the desert with one long blast of California Love. ”

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Filed Under: Featured, News

Adam Blackstone Covers the March Issue of Bass Player Magazine

February 22, 2012 By webmaster

Did you see Adam’s Cover Story in the the March 2012 issue of Bass Player Magazine?

You can pick up a copy online or at your local music or bookstore!

 

Filed Under: Featured, News

Adam Blackstone as Music Director of the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards

February 16, 2012 By webmaster

Check out Adam Blackstone as Musical Director of the 43rd NAACP Image Awards. The Image Awards are recognized as the preeminent multi-cultural awards show from an African-American point of view.

Date

Friday, February 17th
8/7c on NBC
Remind me

Location

The Shrine Auditorium
665 West Jefferson Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA

Attire

Black Tie

Tickets

Tickets are currently available through Ticket Master. Click here to make your purchase or email us at imagetickets@gmail.com.

Filed Under: Featured, News

Jay-Z’s “Glory” at Carnegie Hall

February 7, 2012 By webmaster

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Adam with Shawn “Jay Z” Carter’s Historic Concerts at Carnegie Hall

February 6, 2012 By webmaster

See Music Directors Adam Blackstone & Ahmir “Quest Love” Thompson in this exclusive event!

JAY Z TO PERFORM TWO HISTORIC CONCERTS AT CARNEGIE HALL BENEFITING UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY AND THE SHAWN CARTER SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

FEBRUARY 6 & 7, 2012

In his most intimate performances in years, Shawn “JAY Z” Carter will headline at Carnegie Hall, in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, raising millions for United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation on February 6, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and February 7, 2012 at 9:30 p.m.

Concert goers will get a once in a lifetime experience as JAY Z takes the stage at the New York landmark to raise dollars that will help fight poverty, boost on-time graduation rates in underserved New York City schools, and put college within reach for low-income students across the five boroughs.

For tickets priced at $2,500 and $5,000 and boxes starting at $15,000, contact jayzconcerts@uwnyc.org.

For tickets priced at $1,500 and below, visit Carnegie Hall’s website.

Filed Under: Featured, News

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