Judy Adams

Judy Adams was the brightest of lights in Detroit's early music scene, a pioneering and groundbreaking woman and classically-trained composer and on-air radio personality whose fusion of jazz, classical and rock genres as a musical host both delighted and instructed devoted listeners for decades. Born in Detroit in 1949, she was first exposed to music when her late parents, Albert and Ruth, took her and her younger sister Janet to Detroit-area symphonic performances. That early exposure kindled a love of all things musical that lasted for an entire lifetime.
Graduating from Oakland University with a degree in harpsichord composition, she quickly embraced the medium of radio and soon became the musical voice of Detroit's NPR and Wayne State University station, WDET, for more than three decades. Her "Morphogenesis" show on WDET -- later "The Judy Adams Show" -- was the first of its kind to embrace an eclectic mix of different musical styles, a brilliant amalgamation of on-air auditory delights that many have since imitated but none have remotely surpassed. A snippet of Bach might be followed by an exotic outtake of the Byrds' "Eight Miles High," and Judy's easy-to-listen-to on-air patter would provide helpful information about the pieces she played that eager listeners coveted. She would even throw in segments on cooking recipes from time to time on her show to provide for an absolutely unique listening experience. When WDET changed formats and she moved on from her program manager position there, she occupied similar positions as an on-air host and performer in other venues: WRCJ; CJAM; the Music Hall; the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe; the electronic festival in downtown Detroit, and the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Her hordes of followers -- a vibrant community yet today -- went with Judy wherever she did. A proud Armenian-American, Judy also served as a host on WDET of the Heritage of Armenian Culture Radio program.
As importantly, Judy was a loving and doting mother, sister, wife and in-law. She and her late husband Larry (a great harmonica player in his own right) raised their son Anthony in a household filled with music, and Anthony and his wife Sarah's first son is named Miles in honor of the brilliant jazz musician Miles Davis.
Judy is survived by her son Anthony, daughter-in-law Sarah and their sons Miles and Roman; her sister Janet Ankers and brother-in-law Norman; her in-laws Steve and Carol Tarnowsky and their sons Mark and Scott; and her faithful feline companion Chanel. While Judy is, sadly, no longer with us, the spark she ignited in those who loved her and her music will never be extinguished. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Evereg-Fenesse Educational Society (please mail check to: 2121 Golfview Dr. #104, Troy MI 48084 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation https://give.michaeljfox.org.
Memorial Gathering to take place on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a 3:00 p.m. Service at the funeral home.