Meet the 2026 guest Clinicians: 

Adam Larson (b. 1990) is an American saxophonist, composer and author. An endorsed artist for P. Mauriat saxophones and Brand Ambassador for The Boston Sax Shop. Described by critic Howard Reich of The Chicago-Tribune as “a player for whom the word ‘prodigious’ was coined”, by Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen as “a saxophonist who brings Donny McCaslin and Mark Turner to mind”, and by Nate Chinen of The New York Times as “the sort of jazz musician who gets flagged early on as a promising talent and then hustles to meet every requirement for success”, Larson has garnered numerous awards that distinguish him as one of the most promising artists of his generation. Adam earned his BM and MM in Jazz Performance on full-scholarship from The Manhattan School of Music, finishing his studies in 2014. 

Larson has released nine albums with his record “With Love, From Chicago”, receiving a rare 4.5 Star rating from Downbeat Magazine and featured in JazzTimes Magazine, among other national media outlets. The second installment in his “trio trilogy” project- “With Love, From Kansas City”, was featured in ThePitch (KC), and the final installment of the trilogy, “With Love, From New York” featuring bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Obed Calvaire, received a 4 Star rating from Downbeat.

Larson keeps an active schedule with his own groups and as a sideman, having performed at several venues across the U.S. including The Green Mill, The Jazz Standard, Birdland, The 55 Bar, The Jazz Gallery, The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Smalls, Jazz at The Bistro, The Jazz Estate, The Jazz Showcase, Dazzle, Noce, The Jewell and several others. 

Music has allowed Adam to see more of the world than he once thought possible, having toured Poland, India,Taiwan, Holland, Germany, and South Africa, as well much of the United States. Larson’s Trio received a South Arts “Jazz Road Touring Grant” in 2022 and In 2015 Larson’s quartet was selected as one of ten ensembles to tour on behalf of the U.S. State Department's "American Music Abroad" program and toured Africa for 35 days visiting The Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin and Ghana. Larson has also been the recipient of grants from The Koch Cultural Trust and YoungArts, multiple times.

Beyond maintaining an active touring and recording schedule, Larson continues to be a sought after clinician and masterclass presenter and has been a guest at more than 100 Universities across the world. Appearances include visits to University of Cape Town, HKU Conservatory-Utrecht, Temple University, Yale, Manhattan School of Music, and University of North Texas among many others. Larson has taught entrepreneurship at The Kansas City Art Institute, jazz saxophone, music business and pedagogy at UMKC Conservatory and jazz saxophone and jazz ensembles at The University of Kansas. Larson has a diverse private lesson studio of online students from the U.S. and abroad. 

Adam has authored 12 jazz etude books that have been sold in over 45 countries and States. In 2018, in partnership with BestSaxophoneWebsiteEver, he created and released a successful online masterclass dedicated exclusively to developing great technique, called “Lightning-Fast and Crystal- Clean”. In 2023, Larson partnered with “BetterSax” to release a one-of-a-kind course dedicated to rhythmic diversity, called “The Rhythmic Pyramid”, as well as “Chord Tone Zone” (2024) and “The Magic of Melody” (2025). He maintains an impressive portfolio of commissioned ensemble writing for school jazz ensembles, having written more than thirty original works to date, as well as over 200 original compositions for his own groups/projects. Adam was commissioned by the Illinois Music Educators Association to compose the All-State composition for the 2020 convention, where he directed the Honors Jazz Band. Larson has also directed the South Dakota All-State Jazz Combo.

With a vested interest in giving back, Larson has worked in various capacities with organizations that showcase exceptional young talent in the United States. Adam has served as a mentor for the Grammy Foundation,  and as an adjudicator for the Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra and YoungArts organization. Serving in the role of creative director of the YoungArts New York regional show, Larson has presented multiple genre-bending, interdisciplinary performances held at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. Larson currently resides in Kansas City.

Jazz saxophonist and woodwind artist Bill King is a dynamic musician who has performed throughout the world including the United States, Europe, South America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

King grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, where he studied music at the Greenville Fine Arts Center. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education/performance certificate from the University of South Carolina. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

In March 2009, King retired from the United States Air Force (USAF) bands after 21 years where he was a woodwind specialist. During 14 of those years King was the music director of the Jazz bands at USAF Band of the Golden West, USAF Reserve Band, USAF in Europe Band and the USAF Band of the West. He was responsible for commissioning hundreds of compositions and arrangements as well as producing numerous recording projects. He also performed in the concert band on clarinet, flute, and bassoon while often being featured as a classical saxophone soloist.

Currently based in San Antonio, King established himself by playing with some of the area’s best bands including the San Antonio Jazz Orchestra, Gerry Gibb’s “Thrasher’ Big Band, The Paul Elizondo Orchestra, The Mambo Kings and Henry Brun’s Latin Players. His skill on a variety of woodwind instruments is on display in many of the “Broadway across America” productions at the famous Majestic Theater in San Antonio. He is the founder and music director of the King William Jazz Collective, a 12-piece all-star band performing monthly at the local jazz showcases Carmen’s De La Calle and Luna Live.

Over the years, King has performed and recorded with many of the jazz greats to include Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, Chris Potter, Ernie Watts, Marvin Stamm, Manhattan Transfer, Eddie Daniels, Rufus Reid, Ellis Marsallis, Jason Marsallis and Michael Abene. He also backed such musical pop stars as Johnny Mathis, Petula Clark, Clint Black, Faith Hill, The Temptations and Winnona Judd.

In 2010, King produced, arranged and performed on the CD release, Feelin’ Alright with Johnny P and the Wiseguys. Noted jazz critic and author, Scott Yanow wrote, “Bill King emerges as most valuable player with excellent solos on tenor, alto, soprano and alto flute.”

King has also performed with Eddie Palmeri, Jeff Coffin, Franky Vasquez, The Temptations, Four Tops, the OJays. Frankie Valli and Four Seasons, Kristen Chenoweth and The Lionel Hampton All Star Big Band with Diane Shurr and Jason Marsalis. He was also a clinician adjudicator for the 2013 Longhorn Jazz Festival at the University of Texas and the 2014 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho.

In 2013 and 2014, King released two jazz albums: “Debut” The Bill King Quartet and the self-titled “King William Jazz Collective.” “The King William Jazz Collective” has attained #20 on the Jazz Week Charts and #5 on The Roots Music report (both are National radio airplay charts).

King offers private lessons and master classes for flute, clarinet and saxophone.