Stuart Hamm has firmly established himself as one of the most influential electric bassists of the past half-century. Extending the non-traditional function of the electric bass previously revolutionized by Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke in the 1970s.
Stuart Hamm Interview –
1- What were your early musical influences ?
My earliest bass influence were Paul McCartney, John Entwistle of the Who and Chris Squire form Yes. Bass players who, while still holding down the bottom were very melodic in their approach to creating bass lines. I first hear Stanley Clarke at age 16 and that opened the door to Alphonso Johnson and back to Mingus and the great jazz players. On November 8th, 1978 while a freshman at the Berklee College of Music in Boston I saw Weather Report with Jaco at his prime and it changed my life.
2-When did you first understand you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Very early. My Father was a well know Musicaologist, my Mother was singer and teacher and my oldest brother played guitar and listened to Miles, Mahavishnu and all of the early fusion pioneers. I played many different instruments growing up, but when I started playing bass atage 13 in 1972 I knew that I would not do anything else with my life as far as a career and passion.
3-Any regrets so far in your career? Something you did not do but you should have done or something you always wanted to do but never did?
I auditioned for Frank Zappa in 1981 after spending the Summer in Europe touring with a fusion big band. I did well and probably would have gotten the gig had I chosen to stick around LA, but I flew back to Boston to see Miles Davis at Kix disco, in one of his first gigs in years with Mike Stern, Marcus Miller in the band. I also wish that I had started doing Yoga and paying attention to the physical aspects of bass playing earlier in my career.
4-What advice would you give to a young jazz musician?
Get out and play!! it doesn;t have to be the perfect gig…none are…but don;t just sit in your room and practice and think that you are too good to play in a wedding band or with not-so-good singers. Just get out there and make music, of all kinds!
Carl Verheyen Interview
1- What were your early musical influences ?
My earliest influences were George Harrison, Roger McGuinn, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Ry Cooder, Duane Allman, Leslie West, Mike Bloomfield, Albert King and Paul Simon.
2-When did you first understand you wanted to pursue a career in music?
When I was 11 years old.
3-Any regrets so far in your career ? I was presented with a record deal at age 19 that I turned down. I didn’t feel ready yet. Then another deal was offered to me at 26 and I waited until I was 33 to make my first record called ” No Borders.” Something you did not do but you should have done or something you always wanted to do but never did ? Maybe I should have accepted them!
4-What advice would you give to a young jazz musician? Learn all styles of music! Jazz is a great musical foundation, but to be truly hire-able it’s important to be open minded about every kind of music that is good music…
5-You are a very busy man: musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, producer, educator and you also write for Guitar Player, contributes to other guitar publications, and blogs. How do you manage with all those activities and what is the best of all this? I enjoy doing all these things and the best part is that my life brings something different every day. One day I’m a solo artist playing a concert, the next I’m producing a record or playing on a new movie sound track. I enjoy being on the road with my band but I also enjoy making music in the studios in LA.
6-Your latest release, Mustang Run, is the “guitar album” you wanted to do for many years featuring five different rhythm sections and a number of amazing guest soloists ( Simon Phillips, Bernie Dresel, Gregg Bissonette, Chad Wackerman, Walfredo Reyes, Jr., Jim Cox, Mitchel Forman, Jesse Siebenberg, John Helliwell, Bill Evans, Jerry Goodman, Dane Little, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Marotta, Cliff Hugo, and Stuart Hamm) . Could you tell us few words about it?
Los Angeles has one of the finest “talent pools” in the world and over the years I’ve developed some deep musical relationships with quite a few wonderful musicians. On Mustang Run I was able to write a song and select the best possible rhythm section for it. This was such a privilege, but most of these guys are good friends that I’ve been working with for many years. When I hear each song todayI realize that these guys were the perfect choices and I’m a lucky guy to have them on my record! I own around 75 guitars and at least 50 amps so I could also select the perfect tones for each section of the songs. This was a lot of fun!
7-You are actually touring all over Europe with Stu Hamm and Jason Harrison Smith and then early 2014 you will be touring with your band in North America. Any concert schedule with Supertramp ?
We played just one concert last year in Madrid, Spain, so I’m hoping there is something coming in 2014 or 2015. It’s a great band and a great bunch of guys, so I hope so!
Carl Verheyen & Stuart Hamm Interview – Patricia Graire October 2013
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