STU HAMM

Through his innovative work as a solo artist and his contributions as a sideman to Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, 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, Hamm helped to reshape the contemporary concept of the bass guitar as an unaccompanied instrument with the utilization of polyphonic, two-handed tapping, slapping and popping techniques, chords, and harmonics. Although Hamm certainly wasn't the first bass player to debut during the 1980s and employ an unorthodox approach to playing the electric bass, he was undoubtedly at the forefront of his generation who effectively fused the application of these unconventional techniques. As one of today's leading bassists, Hamm has released six critically-acclaimed studio recordings. On Radio Free Albemuth (1988), Kings Of Sleep (1989), The Urge (1991), and Outbound (2000), Hamm showcased his unique style of playing the bass as a lead instrument both within a solo environment and various ensemble formats on a genre-spanning spectrum of repertoire that merged rock, jazz, fusion, classical, country, and urban sounds. Live Stu X 2, the fifth solo project produced by Hamm features a diverse compilation of classic tracks recorded by Hamm during his set on the first leg of the Bx3 tour in Philadelphia last April as well as a few previously unrecorded pieces that were captured in San Francisco before a live audience in 2004. 2010's "Just Outside of Normal" is Hamm's 5th solo release, and his most diverse and best received CD. Featuring guitarists Joe Satriani, Robert Fripp and Frank Gambale, it has been hailed as " one of the more diverse and satisfying instrumental themed releases heard in some time. " In addition to his barrier-breaking solo sessions, Hamm has been hailed for his recording and touring stints with guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. His long-time associations with Vai and Satriani garnered Hamm award-winning recognition on a global scale, and as a result, Hamm has received an extensive list of accolades such as being voted "Best Jazz Bassist" and "Best Rock Bassist" multiple times in magazine polls conducted by several major print publications. Besides his projects with Satriani and Vai, other studio-related productions that have spotlighted Hamm's trademark style and technical facility include his three collaborations as a member of the trio dubbed GHS with guitarist Frank Gambale of Chick Corea's Elektric Band and former Journey drummer Steve Smith.