Adam Summerhayes
“Astonishing all-out virtuosity” – New York Times
“That was so beautiful” – Jude Law (live on set)
“Thrilling virtuosity” – Gramophone
About Adam Summerhayes
“like the direct descendant of the devil’s violinist Paganini” BADISCHE ZEITUNG
Adam Summerhayes is a violinist, composer, and improviser with an astonishingly varied career spanning classical, world-music and folk traditions.
Celebrated for his virtuosic performances and in-the-moment creativity, Adam’s artistry draws from an impeccable classical pedigree and a deep folk heritage. His work has captivated audiences across the globe, earning accolades such as Folk Instrumentalist of the Year and glowing praise for his classical work from publications such as The Strad, BBC Music Magazine, Gramophone, The Times and The New York Times.
Adam Summerhayes
Violinist – fiddler – composer – improviser – conductor
“Astonishing, all out virtuosity”
The Strad
If pressed
If pressed, Adam makes no mention of years of stunning performances, great venues and exciting collaborators, and talks instead about finding himself 100 feet from a grizzly bear in Yellowstone Park, discovering that he was inexplicably at the bottom of an extremely deep ditch in Denmark at four in the morning, losing the skin from the end of his right thumb through ‘frostnip’ halfway through a winter tour of the Mid West as concerto soloist, and being (wrongfully) arrested, alone in a desert at dawn, by the US Border Force in Arizona in a surprising episode that involved two helicopters, three police trucks, a lot of men with machine guns … and some cacti.
virtuosic spontaneous duo
THE CIDERHOUSE REBELLION
Master musicians Adam Summerhayes and Murray Grainger combine to produce incredible tapestries of sound. Virtuosic in-the-moment music from the originators of improvised folk.
boundary pushing anglo/irish band
THE HAAR
Turning trad tunes into something breathtakingly fresh and ambitious, Vocalist Molly Donnery combines with high level improvisers Cormàc Byrne, Adam Summerhayes & Murray Grainger.
violinist – composer – improviser – conductor
Adam Summerhayes
A versatile violinist and fiddler known for his exceptional ability to traverse various musical genres. His performances range from 20th-century chamber music and early music to traditional fiddle laments and dynamic improvisations.
vibrant, sensual gypsy jazz
VAGABOND
Virtuoso violin and masterful accordion collide in a thrilling fusion of Gypsy, Tango, and Klezmer—dazzling, expressive, and spontaneous. A breathtaking musical journey of fire, passion, and connection.
dramatic, dynamic new string trio
coming soon
More news soon…
Testimonials
What People are Saying
The Ciderhouse Rebellion
“Compelling, exciting and utterly original” – Phil Beer (Show of Hands)
The Haar
“We need more music like this; spontaneous, alive and affecting” KLOF Mag
Don’t Miss A thing
Adam Summerhayes News And Events
Bow of the Week #5 – Étienne Pajeot
Or perhaps I should say ‘Bows of the Week’ as I am comparing two Étienne Pajeot bows (and narrowly avoiding getting frogs in the beer).
Bow of the Week #4 – Dominique Peccatte
🎻 Bow Of The Week #4 - Still in that rather good pub... this time with a bow by Dominique Peccatte from about 1850. It's very elegant. Not as heavy as some I've tried. You can really sink into the sound.
Bow Of The Week #3 – Nicolas Maline
Brought to you from the rather excellent Craft Beer Company off Tottenham Court Road. This one is from about 1860 and it’s particularly gorgeous!