Elizabeth City, N.C.— Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) delivered a pitch-perfect performance last week with a visit from 17-time Billboard No.1 guitarist and producer Adam Hawley. Hawley delivered an unforgettable concert, with masterclasses, mentorship and musical magic reverberating across the campus.
In collaboration with ECSU’s Community Connections initiative, ECSU’s performance lecture series, Hawley’s two-day residency April 15 and 16 fused performance with a greater purpose. From teaching recording techniques in the university’s music studio to headlining a packed daytime concert, the chart-topping musician gave ECSU students and local youth a front-row seat to excellence.
“This was more than a performance—it was an experience,” said Douglas Jackson, assistant professor of music at ECSU and organizer of the visit. “Adam Hawley represents the best in contemporary jazz, and his willingness to pour into our students was truly inspiring. He didn’t just show them how to play—he showed them what’s possible.”
Hawley started his visit Tuesday morning with a Music Production Workshop, where ECSU students watched and participated as he demonstrated how to record guitar tracks, walking them through the professional process behind Billboard hits. That same afternoon, he sat down for a radio interview, sharing insights on his journey—from being hand-picked by Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White to leading his own label, MBF Entertainment.
Wednesday morning, Hawley shifted from studio star to educator, headlining the Jazz Fest K-12 Clinic, which welcomed more than 500 young music students from the region. Hawley broke down rhythm patterns, improvisation skills and the heart behind the music.
“There was a moment during the clinic when I looked out at a sea of wide-eyed students hanging on every note,” said Jackson. “That’s when I knew this was bigger than a performance.”
The crescendo of Hawley’s visit came Wednesday night with a full evening concert in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center. The concert drew a diverse crowd of students, faculty and community members. Hawley’s smooth blend of jazz, funk and R&B had the audience grooving from the first chord.
Hawley may have been the headliner, but he shared the spotlight with his duet partner and wife, Kat Hawley, who was a favorite among the young morning audience of 500. The students clapped, danced and sang along with her as she moved through her selection. That evening, she demonstrated why she is a valuable member of the Hawley touring machine.
Hawley’s resume is as impressive as his performance, collaborating with Jennifer Lopez, Natalie Cole, Lalah Hathaway and Brian McKnight. He performed at top-tier festivals such as the Seabreeze Jazz Fest and the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway. He also holds a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Southern California.
For ECSU, his greatest accomplishment may have been how he connected with young musicians, the community, and a campus committed to excellence in the arts.
“This is what happens when education meets artistry,” Jackson added. “Our students had a chance to learn from someone at the pinnacle of his craft, and they came away as better musicians and more confident creators.”