5 Interesting Facts About The Bassist Serving As Musical Director For The Oscars In 2022.
Here are five things you should know about Adam Blackstone, a well-known bassist who will be musically directing the 2018 Academy Awards.
During this year’s Academy Awards show, an all-star group led by pianist Robert Glasper, drummer Travis Barker, famous lead singer Sheila E., and music director Adam Blackstone will play.
Here are five things you should know about Blackstone, an all-star bassist and long-time music director and producer who is joining the Oscar production team to help make the night unforgettable.
He’s a producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
Blackstone was born on December 4, 1982, in Trenton, New Jersey, into a musical family. He began playing drums in church while his father was the organist and his mother sang in the chorus.
Although he originally wanted to be a drummer, he switched to bass in third grade and went on to join his high school’s jazz band. After getting a scholarship to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he became a big part of the local soul music scene. He later became a full-time session musician and traveled the world.
After catching the attention of The Roots drummer and producer Questlove, Adam began producing and working on concerts. His first major performances, Jay-Fade Z’s “To Black” show at Madison Square Garden in 2003 and Dave Chappelle’s “Block Party” in 2005, were his first major performances, putting him on the map to work with additional A-list artists.
He’s directed and acted alongside a star-studded cast
Adam Blackstone at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors
Adam has worked as a musical director for a number of well-known artists, including Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Jill Scott, Kanye West, and others.
Adam previously worked as a creative consultant on one of this year’s hosts, Wanda Sykes’ Emmy-nominated Netflix special, Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, demonstrating yet another tie to this year’s Oscars.
He’s appeared on “The Voice,” and he’s influenced other shows
After working with Maroon 5, Adam went on to serve as an advisor to The Voice coach Adam Levine during the first season of the show.
In addition, the musician has worked on or helped shape a number of other television productions, including the Oscars, the Grammy Awards, the Super Bowl halftime shows, the Critic’s Choice Awards, and a number of specials for BET, MTV, and VH1.
Adam also served as Musical Director for FOX’s The Four and The Masked Singer, as well as musically directing this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, which featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.
The Industry Has Formally Recognized and Rewarded Him.
Adam Blackstone at the MTV VMAs
It’s no surprise that the musician has been recognized for his work, given his work with various musical groups and his tenure in the industry.
For his work as musical director on two Super Bowl halftime shows, Adam has garnered two primetime Emmy nominations: the 2018 event with Justin Timberlake and the 2020 show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.
Adam was also nominated for a Grammy for co-writing Musiq Blackstone’s “Teachme,” which was nominated for Best Rap Song in 2007.
He owns and operates his own production company
Adam Blackstone at the Creative Arts Emmys
In addition to his own musical endeavors and directing other performers, Adam and his wife, Kaisha Blackstone, run BASSic Black Entertainment, LLC, a production firm.
According to his website, BBE, which he created in 2008, is a “wide-based music service firm” that focuses on live musical production, helping musicians connect with one another for networking and collaboration opportunities, and studio production. In 2013, the corporation launched the BBE record label under the same name.
Kaisha is currently the CFO, while Adam is in charge of the more creative aspects of the company.
