musician spotlight
This week we feature a newcomer to Columbia- saxophonist Adib Young!
Adib is a graduate of Furman University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. An experienced educator, Adib has served as Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at both the University of Illinois Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College. He has also presented at the North American Saxophone Alliance and Jazz Education Network, sharing his passion for improvisation, artistry, and creative expression in diverse musical settings. He is a very welcome addition to the Columbia Jazz Scene! We asked him some questions-
-When did you first start playing?
-at 12
-What was some of the first music that you loved?
-I honestly fell in love with jazz and music through Cannonball’s “Know What I Mean” record. Not one most people site but Cannonball swings so hard on that record and Bill Evan’s melodicism and voicings really spoke to me at a young age.
-If you could pick a different instrument what would it be and why?
-Acoustic guitar; I really love the color and sounds. It’s portable, easy to write songs, and it’s a harmonic instrument. I’m obsessed with harmony in my writing mostly because it has the greatest effect on the mood of a piece.
-What are you listening to these days?
-I’ve been going through a Lester Young phase recently so the albums The President Plays, Pres, and the Jazz Giants 56’.
-Where is one of the coolest places you've played?
-I had a really cool time at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago. Definitely a cool vibe because it was a huge old church facility with multiple rooms. It had all the old wood, archways, and character but with a jazz club feel. Defiant a unique vibe.
-Who is a musician you think others should know about?
-I’d say João Donato is a fantastic Brazilian composer that wrote some of my favorite bossas. I always love how simple and rhythmic his melodies are and don’t hear his name mentioned enough.
-What's keeping you busy these days (musically and non)?
-I recently started a job at Barron Financial Group, a local family-run retirement advisory firm, so a lot of my time has gone into learning the ropes and diving deeper into finance. I’m also very involved in the Baha’i community and local service projects, which keeps me grounded.
Family plays a big part of my life as well. Almost every evening I’m spending time with my in-laws and wife, playing card games, and drinking some good chai!
On top of that, the music scene here has been a real gift — plenty of talented people to jam and connect with. I’m genuinely excited to see where things are heading as I continue to settle into this wonderful community.
