Adam Kolker is a multi-talented performer, composer and arranger. He performed and recorded with latin-jazz artist Ray Barretto from 1994 through 2002 (with whom he received two Grammy nominations). He also has appeared and/or appears regularly in New York City with such groups as Fred Hersch's Come Dreams Project, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Big Band, Bruce Barth, Judi Silvano, David Berkman, Kenny Wheelers Large Ensemble, Lucia Pulido, Alan Ferber's Nonet and many others.
He has recorded with Bruce Barth, John Hébert, The Story, Ben Sher, Allan Chase, Bobby Previte, Gunther Schuller, Bruce Saunders, Frank Carlberg, and others.
Adams first release as a leader, Crazybird, on A Records (with Tim Hagans, Kevin Hays, Jeff Ballard and Doug Weiss), reached the top ten on the CMJ Charts, and received critical acclaim from such publications as Jazz Times, JazzIz and the Village Voice.
Other CDs include Sultanic Verses on SatchmoJazz Records (with Bruce Barth, Billy Hart, Ray Barretto and John Hébert), Change Of Time -- a trio comprised of Kolker, Russ Lossing and John Hébert , and performing music based on Bela Bartok's "Mikrokosmos" on OmniTone Records also received critical acclaim, including 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat Magazine.
Meditacions, also on Satchmo and co-led with Catalan drummer Xavi Maureta, received the award for "Best Modern Jazz CD" from the Catalan Jazz Society in 2002.
Adam's most recent CD is "Flag Day," with John Abercrombie, John Hébert and Paul Motian. It has received high acclaim (see reviews) from the New York Times, Jazz Times, Stereophile, and Downbeat to name a few.
In May 2011, Kolker released Reflections (Sunnyside), with  John Abercrombie, John Hébert, Russ Lossing, Billy Mintz, Judi Silvano and Kay Matsukawa.