A native of Springfield, Virginia, Ryan Adamsons is based in Chicago where he is an active performer, composer, and educator. Before joining the brass staff for the Santa Clara Vanguard in 2012, Ryan spent five years as a marching member of the Bluecoats (1998-2002), and seven years on the brass staff of the Bluecoats (2003-2008, and 2011) among other groups.

Ryan has received Bachelor of Science Degrees in Jazz Studies and Brass Performance from the University of Akron, and also graduated with distinction from DePaul University in Chicago with a Masters of Music concentrating in Jazz Composition. An award-winning composer and sought after clinician, he has taught numerous groups in the United States and Japan. He currently works as an Artist Advisor at the Denis Wick/Vandoren Musician’s Advisory Studio in downtown Chicago, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Jazz Orchestra as their Director of Educational Programs. Ryan also chairs the mentoring program of the Jazz Education Network, a project aimed at fostering young jazz musicians in various fields of study and industry.