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Meet Stuart Hamm: Acclaimed bass player talks Iridium shows in NY (Includes interview)

On his concerts at the Iridium, he said, “The fans expect an evening of musicality and virtuosity. Not only are Chad and Alex masters of their instruments, but musicians who listen and react and function as group to make the MUSIC happen. We will be playing music from my 7 solo releases, as well as songs that Alex has written, and some Frank Zappa and Allan Holdsworth songs to salute Chad’s musical past with these two Giants. AND I wrote a special new opening tune for this band to be premiered at The Iridium.”

For Hamm, 2017 is quite the busy year. “I am finishing up a solo bass album. I am touring Europe with Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson’s drummer) and guitarist Jack Gardiner playing my best known works from my years with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale and Eric Johnson. I do a large festival in Slovenia with Chad and fellow Zappa alum Mike Keneally featuring some of Zappa’s music. I will be at Joe Satriani’s G4 Camp in July. A December run with another great guitarist Dean Brown, and an August tour of the US with guitarist Greg Howe. And Alex and I will be recording an album when we can fund time,” he said.

After playing bass for 44 years, he admitted that he keeps getting better. “I am constantly hearing new music that expands my ears, and playing with musicians who challenge me, and push me to become a better bassist and musician makes me happy,” he said.

On touring with Alex Skolnick and Chad Wackerman, he said, “Alex was the original guitarist in the Stu Hamm Band in 1990. We then hooked up again for a SHB tour in 2015 and it was great to learn that after 25 years, we were better musicians and better friends.Chad and I have played in a variety of situations, but the three of us have never played before, except for rehearsals. That’s the fun of being a bandleader: picking musicians who will hear new ways of playing my compositions.”

His advice for aspiring bassists is as follows: “My advice is to get out of your practice room and join a band…join three bands. Join 10 bands. Play as many different styles of music as possible and take any chance you get to play live in front of people with as many different musicians as you can.”

For his fans, he concluded, “I’d like to thank my fans for all of their support and positive messages I get on social media platforms. When I meet a young bassist who takes the time to tell me that they have enjoyed my music, and that my music encouraged them to make music themselves…it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

To learn more about musician Stuart Hamm, check out his official website.

Markos Papadatos
Written By

Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News. Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 20,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.

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