BIOGRAPHY

Adam is a trumpet player, composer, songwriter, educator, and entrepreneur living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He is an Edwards Instrument Co. Performing Artist and Clinician and leads the Adam Meckler Orchestra (AMO), an 18-piece big band that plays his original compositions. The AMO's release 'When the Clouds Look Like This' was listed as one of the best jazz releases of 2014 by iTunes. Their 'Magnificent Madness' album was released to critical acclaim on the legendary alt-jazz label Ropeadope Records in 2018.

Meckler's 2025 release "Sampled" is now available for pre-order. The album hits all streaming platforms November 7th, 2025. "Sampled" is a highly collaborative record in which Meckler commissioned six producers to sample 10 Adam Meckler Orchestra songs and turn them into 10 new songs via collaborations with artists from all over the world. It will be released on the legendary alt-jazz label Ropeadope.

Adam has toured and/or recorded with Cory Wong, Dave Koz, Steve Cole, Youngblood Brass Band, Nooky Jones, The Hornheads (Prince), and many others. Meckler's trumpet trio Supercell explores the outer rings of explorative jazz featuring Meckler as an improviser in addition to composer/arranger. His collaborations with L.A.-based beat maker JFab have more than a quarter million streams on Spotify.

An award-winning educator, Meckler is the Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan Technological University, and is featured as a guest artist at educational jazz festivals all over the world. Meckler is passionate about teaching jazz by ear and is frequently tapped to demonstrate his approach at music conferences and educational institutions. In 2019, Meckler founded the Workshop Brass Band as a credited ensemble at Michigan Tech that learns both traditional and modern New Orleans-style Brass Band music by ear (with no sheet music).

Adam is co-founder and CEO of Gig Boss, LLC, an app that serves as a DIY self-management tool for artists. Born of his busy career as a freelancer and bandleader, Gig Boss was designed to help musicians organize their groups, schedules, and finances. Meckler is host of the How Musicians Make It (HMMI) podcast where he breaks down the music business, and interviews artists and music industry professionals and asks them how they're making it. HMMI has more than 20,000 downloads across all platforms.

Press

"A thrillingly contemporary update of the jazz big band that both embodies Meckler’s musical generation and showcases his singular vision (not to mention his masterfully expressive trumpet playing)" - Evan Haga (Jazz Times)

"I just want to Thank You for your composition for our Jazz Band. The more we played 'The Summer Sun' this year the more moved I was by its greatness. You composed the piece that was obtainable by my group yet stretched them musically and emotionally. This piece has a special place in my heart and will be time stamped with this group of kids. Thanks for your inspiration and work on this piece. I hope that others will be able to enjoy it as much as we have." - Blair Burger, Fridley Middle School

"Meckler, a trumpeter and composer, joins a movement of composers who aim to forge a contemporary sound, among them Minnesota's Maria Schneider, Canadian Darcy James Argue and John Hollenbeck of New York." - Minnesota Public Radio

BIOGRAPHY

Press

"A thrillingly contemporary update of the jazz big band that both embodies Meckler’s musical generation and showcases his singular vision (not to mention his masterfully expressive trumpet playing)" - Evan Haga (Jazz Times)

"Meckler, a trumpeter and composer, joins a movement of composers who aim to forge a contemporary sound, among them Minnesota's Maria Schneider, Canadian Darcy James Argue and John Hollenbeck of New York." - Minnesota Public Radio

"Post-bop swirliness that’s certainly of this era, coasting along on Midwestern charm." - NextBop