He studied at Mohawk College with Mark Eisenman, Dave McMurdo, Mike Malone, Christopher Hunt, and Brian Dickinson. He continued his Education at the University of Toronto Jazz Performance program studying with Gary Williamson, Kevin Turcotte, and Phil Nimmons. In 1996, Adrean attended the Banff Centre for the Arts’ Summer Jazz Workshop where he studied and performed with Don Thompson, Hugh Fraser, Kenny Wheeler, Pat and Joe Labarbera, and Norma Winstone. Adrean has also received private instruction from jazz legends Cedar Walton, Geoff Keezer, Benny Green, and British pianist John Taylor.

Since the late 1990s, Adrean has been in high demand as a freelance performer and teacher. Adrean has toured extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan. Adrean has performed/recorded with Larry Carlton, Curtis Fuller, Tom Scott, Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, Eric Alexander, Chris Potter, Joel Frahm, Matt Penman, Brad Goode, Kenny Wheeler, D'arcy James Argue, Don Thompson, Lorne Lofsky, Kevin Turcotte, Kelly Jefferson, and Pat Labarbera.

Adrean is currently pianist for such diverse projects as Matt Dusk, Brad Goode Quartet, Ernesto Cervini Quartet (featuring saxophonist Joel Frahm), Tim Shia’s ‘The Worst Pop Band Ever’, Bob Brough Quartet, and the Darcy Hepner Big Band. Adrean also works regularly with his wife, vocalist Sophia Perlman.

Adrean has appeared on more than thirty recordings to date. His debut recording as a leader, Live at the Senator, was released in 2006.

In 2008, Adrean forged a new project entitled RICOCHET. The band released their debut recording in 2010, which was nominated for JUNO Award.

Adrean is currently on the faculty of York University and Mohawk College, where he teaches jazz piano and improvisation. He has given workshops at the University of Colorado, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, Banff Centre for the Arts, and in Warsaw, Poland as part of the Polish Jazz Society’s 35th annual Summer Jazz Workshop.