Adrian Ingram is widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities on the jazz guitar. He has written extensively about the history, players, styles and instruments of the genre. As an educator, he has served as guitar specialist for Birmingham Education Authority (1975-1981) and Lecturer in jazz and popular music at Huddersfield Technical College (1981-82). Following this he taught for thirteen years as senior lecturer in jazz guitar at the prestigious Leeds College of Music (1982-1995).

Adrian has an MA in music performance and an Master of Philosophy in music education. He studied music education with professor John Paynter OBE (York University) and the guitar with Barney Kessel and Howard Roberts. He was elected both Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and Fellow of the College of Preceptors (FColl.P) in 1987 for outstanding contribution to music education. Adrian also holds advanced diplomas in classical guitar performance and instruction and has attained Dept. of Education and Science’s "qualified teacher" status.

His books include definitive biography of jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, and The Gibson L5, Its History and Players (Centerstream Publishing). Adrian has produced a wide range of educational material e.g. Modem Jazz Guitar Technique (Hampton), Cool Blues and Hot Jazz (Warner Bros.) and a suite tracing the history of jazz guitar: Jazz Guitar Cameos (Mel Bay Publications, Inc.). He is also the authorized biographer of luthier Robert Benedetto.

Adrian has written countless magazine articles and columns. He is a regular columnist and consultant for Guitarist, music and reviews editor for Just Jazz Guitar, and contributes to Classical Guitar, 20th Century Guitar, Vintage Guitar Classics, Vintage Guitar and Guitar. His international reputation as a player and teacher was consolidated by clinics and workshops at major festivals (New York, Arlington, Cork, Philadelphia etc.). Adrian also performs with leading jazz musicians with whom he has made a variety of recordings, and participated in radio and TV broadcasts. He is featured on the first jazz guitar DVD with guitarist John Pisano — Live at Wakefield Jazz (Mel Bay Publications, Inc./String Jazz).