Originally from Sydney, Adrian was born in 1969 in Australia and has been welcomed in Europe since his arrival in 1991. Already in Australia he was nominated as "best Australian Trombonist" receiving awards not only for composition but as well his quintet "Free Spirits" "Best Jazz Group 1990".
After studying privately in New York with the likes of Robin Eubanks, Steve Turre`, Conrad Herwig and Slide Hampton he decided to move to Europe where he quickly established himself as one of the strongest voices on Trombone in the European scene. Mears`s career is already distinguished by performance and recording credits alongside the likes of the Vienna Art Orchestra (9 years), Kenny Wheeler, Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra, McCoy Tyner`s Big Band, the NDR big band with Tim Hagans, Bobby Shew, James Morrison, Trombonefire, Don Pullen, Eddie Palmeri, Charlie Mariano, Mark Soskin, Paquito DiRivera, Klaus Doldinger, Jeff Williams, Adam Pieronczyk, Joey Calderazzo, Peter O`Mara, Ronnie Burrage, Peter Herboltzheimer, Conexion Latina, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Don Friedman etc.
He was a member of the international sextet Ugetsu which recorded 4 Cds, many of his compositions, with 200 performances throughout Europe and festivals in China, Australia... A long list of recording credits among his own which can be found on the ENJA label or on the Blue Note Label together with the Scales Brothers.
Performed at German jazz festivals Nürnberg-Jazz Ost West, Berlin, Burghausen, Moers, St. Ingbert or in Holland (North Sea), Russia (Moscow, Kiev), Poland, Switzerland (Montreux, Zürich Jazz No Jazz, Basel Off Beat), Belgium, France, Greece, Norway, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, Sydney, China, Bulgaria, Cuba, South Africa (Capetown & Grahamstown) etc..
Mears has received composing commissions for diverse settings such as Bach, Blech & Blues (Classical Brass Ensemble), Suite for Didgeridoo and Chamber Orchestra with jazz trio and wind ensemble, Travel Documentary for Australian T.V, 60 piece Choir, Big Band.. etc.
Has been teaching in Mannheim Conservatorium for 10 years, as well as 2 years in Cologne Conservatorium and is currently Professor at the Basel Musik Academie (Switzerland) for Trombone and Ear Training for the past 20 years.