Born in Portland, Oregon, Adam Hawley took his first piano lessons at the age of eight, adding guitar lessons the following year. Influenced by the fluid playing of George Benson, he put his technique to good use on a number of occasions, notably in a blues band. Moving to Los Angeles, he studied at the University of Southern California, accompanying artists such as Natalie Cole, Jennifer Lopez, Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, The Manhattan Transfer, Rick Braun, Gerald Albright and Euge Groove. After two albums recorded for the Kalimba Music label, Just the Beginning (2016) and Double Vision (2019), he signed with A-Train Records for Escape (2020), Risin' Up (2021), What Christmas Means to Me (2023) and Unstoppable (2024). The single "Automatic", which he performs as a duet with Dave Koz, reaches number 24 on Billboard's Smooth Jazz Airplay charts.
