NORMAL - Candi Lhotka was sipping merlot at Swingers Grille when she put down her wine and stared. | Video

The saxophone player, Adam Larson, was playing two horns at the same time.

Larson had the undivided attention of dozens in the audience as he bobbed his head and swayed to the beat.

It was a typical Friday night gig for Larson, 17.

The soon-to-be senior at University High School has been playing for hire since he was 12.

He's incorporated playing two saxophones at once (alto and soprano) into his routine for the past three months. His audiences love it.

"I'm hoping to eventually play three at one time but it's not a high priority," said Larson, who has regular gigs at Swingers Grille, 1304 Cross Creek Drive, Normal, and Redfire Grille, 1605 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington.

His youth amazes. "I can't believe the maturity of his playing," said Lhotka, from Odell.

"He's the real deal," agreed veteran saxophonist Garard Montague.

Cindy Weaver of Bloomington was equally impressed by Larson's character. "He's such a well-mannered young man," she said.

Larson regularly steps aside from his front-man role to allow band members to shine. Brandon Mooberry, playing bass, said Larson is "hard driven" and a "great leader."

He's been playing saxophone since he was 11. "I bought one for $90 at a garage sale in Washington (Illinois)," said his mother, Peggy Larson.

The sax suits Larson, whether he's playing in Illinois, New York or Paris.

The distant concerts came as part of his involvement with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, which will play at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California this fall.

Despite the exotic venues, Larson still remembers his first public performances in McLean County, including at The Young Men's Club and at a wedding reception. Then, he played solo. Now, he's more apt to be part of the Adam Larson Trio, Quartet or Quintet.

Whatever the lineup, expect to see his father, John Larson, on drums. His mother is band director at Lincoln Junior High and plays trumpet.

While sister Kelsey, 14, plays the euphonium and trombone, she wants to be an actress.

Larson, however, has set his sights on a career in music and hopes to attend the Manhattan School of Music.

"I wouldn't encourage him if I didn't think he had what it would take. He's captured the respect of the best players in the area," said John Larson, a former school band director now working in the systems department at State Farm Insurance Cos.

Adam Larson is motivated to succeed. During summer vacation, Larson practices up to seven hours a day, but doesn't feel he's missing anything. He still finds time to hang out with friends.

He specializes in tenor saxophone, but also plays alto, soprano and baritone sax, flute and clarinet.

"I've never had a kid come along with his talent and love for jazz, especially at that age," said Jason Landes, band director at University High School, Normal.

Larson is influenced by musicians such as John Coltrane and Branford Marsalis, but also by someone closer to home. "Dad taught me how to connect with people on the bandstand and got me into booking (gigs)," he said.

He's done his own booking for a couple of years, and thinks it will help him down the road.

He works at engaging his audience by adding funk and rhythm and blues into jazz.

"We'll take jazz standards and put a hip hop or funk beat behind it," Larson said. It makes jazz "more accessible to people."

Playing two saxophones at once helps keep the audience engaged as well.

"People seem to enjoy it and I'm glad they do," Larson said.

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About Adam Larson

Member: Next Generation Jazz Orchestra; inaugural Jazz Band of America; Illinois State University Jazz Ensemble; Illinois Central "Jazz Train" Orchestra at Illinois Central College in East Peoria.

Invitee: June 2007 Ravinia Summer Jazz Workshop.

Albums: Crossover; Songs for my Grandfather; Sketches of Christmas; Straight Ahead.

SOURCES: Adam Larson; www.adamlarsonjazz.com