Steve Hass
Encyclopedia
Steve Hass is a professional studio/touring drummer and producer who has worked with such artists as Cher
, John Scofield
, The Manhattan Transfer
, Ravi Coltrane
, Miri Ben-Ari
, Christian McBride, Danillo Perez, John Patitucci, Richard Bona, Wayne Krantz, The BBC Big Band, Suzanne Vega, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Russ Ferrante, Will Lee, Anthony Jackson and many others. He has also shared the stage with such renown artists as Billy Joel
, Art Garfunkel
, George Benson
to name a few. Hass is amongst a small group of prolific freelance musicians who are in demand by renown artists in a wide variety of musical genres. His participation in the New York City jazz scene from 1998-2007 has given him the label "jazz drummer", however Hass also has worked with many pop and commercial artists both live and in the recording studio. Hass believes jazz music is the foundation for the drum kit, just as many consider classical music the foundation for instruments such as the piano.
After attending Berklee College Of Music
on scholarship from 1993–1996 Steve was asked to join the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. He toured and recorded with the band from 1996 to 2002. The music was a mixture of traditional jazz, funk, and odd meter fusion. During this time Steve was also a studio drummer in New York City playing on dozens of national jingles, record dates, television shows, and movie soundtracks. He was also a member of Ruben Wilson's "Masters Of Groove" where he shared the drum chair with the legendary Bernard Purdie
. In addition, during this period Steve toured with Christian McBride, Suzanne Vega, Miri Ben-Ari, Bob Berg, and Richard Bona amongst others.
In 2003 Steve began touring and recording with multiple Grammy winners and Atlantic recording artists, The Manhattan Transfer. He remains the first call drummer for The Manhattan Transfer, and works with them as his schedule permits. He is the first touring drummer in the history of the band to actually record with them. He is featured on 3 album releases and 1 live concert DVD. In late 2003, Hass released a solo album named Traveler. The C.D displays Hass' skills as a talented producer. His usage of sonic layering and drum loops is reminiscent of Jon Brion
.
In 2005 Steve joined John Scofield
and Mavis Staples
to support Scofield's Verve release "That's What I'd Say". The band toured around the world from 2005 until December 2007 playing R+B, Soul, Jazz and Latin. http://www.stevehass.net/hassy-discography.html. Scofield also used Steve in his jazz trio, along with bassist John Benitez for select local N.Y dates.
In 2006 Hass had an eight-page feature interview in Modern Drummer Magazine. He is now a regular educational contributor in the "ask a pro" and "workshop" columns.
Since establishing a second residence in Los Angeles in 2007, Steve regularly performs with pianist and Tony Williams alumnus Alan Pasqua, along with saxophone virtuoso Bob Sheppard. He is also a visiting faculty member at such schools as USC, LA Music Academy, and The New School for Jazz in New York City.
Here is a short list of Steve Hass' musical affiliations:
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
, John Scofield
John Scofield
John Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
, The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both...
, Ravi Coltrane
Ravi Coltrane
Ravi Coltrane is an American post-bop jazz saxophonist. Co-owner of the record label RKM Music, he has produced artists such as pianist Luis Perdomo , guitarist David Gilmore and trumpeter Ralph Alessi....
, Miri Ben-Ari
Miri Ben-Ari
Miri Ben-Ari is an Israeli violinist, who currently resides in the United States.Ben-Ari grew up playing classical music; she started training at age 5 and at age 12, she was presented with a violin by Isaac Stern. During her mandatory Israeli military service, she was chosen to play for the...
, Christian McBride, Danillo Perez, John Patitucci, Richard Bona, Wayne Krantz, The BBC Big Band, Suzanne Vega, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Russ Ferrante, Will Lee, Anthony Jackson and many others. He has also shared the stage with such renown artists as Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
, Art Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel
Arthur Ira "Art" Garfunkel is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and actor, best known as being a member of the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel...
, George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
to name a few. Hass is amongst a small group of prolific freelance musicians who are in demand by renown artists in a wide variety of musical genres. His participation in the New York City jazz scene from 1998-2007 has given him the label "jazz drummer", however Hass also has worked with many pop and commercial artists both live and in the recording studio. Hass believes jazz music is the foundation for the drum kit, just as many consider classical music the foundation for instruments such as the piano.
After attending Berklee College Of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
on scholarship from 1993–1996 Steve was asked to join the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. He toured and recorded with the band from 1996 to 2002. The music was a mixture of traditional jazz, funk, and odd meter fusion. During this time Steve was also a studio drummer in New York City playing on dozens of national jingles, record dates, television shows, and movie soundtracks. He was also a member of Ruben Wilson's "Masters Of Groove" where he shared the drum chair with the legendary Bernard Purdie
Bernard Purdie
Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie is an American session drummer, and is considered an influential and innovative exponent of funk...
. In addition, during this period Steve toured with Christian McBride, Suzanne Vega, Miri Ben-Ari, Bob Berg, and Richard Bona amongst others.
In 2003 Steve began touring and recording with multiple Grammy winners and Atlantic recording artists, The Manhattan Transfer. He remains the first call drummer for The Manhattan Transfer, and works with them as his schedule permits. He is the first touring drummer in the history of the band to actually record with them. He is featured on 3 album releases and 1 live concert DVD. In late 2003, Hass released a solo album named Traveler. The C.D displays Hass' skills as a talented producer. His usage of sonic layering and drum loops is reminiscent of Jon Brion
Jon Brion
Jon Brion is an American rock and pop multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer and record producer.-Early life:...
.
In 2005 Steve joined John Scofield
John Scofield
John Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
and Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, actress and civil rights activist who recorded with The Staple Singers, her family's band.-Biography:...
to support Scofield's Verve release "That's What I'd Say". The band toured around the world from 2005 until December 2007 playing R+B, Soul, Jazz and Latin. http://www.stevehass.net/hassy-discography.html. Scofield also used Steve in his jazz trio, along with bassist John Benitez for select local N.Y dates.
In 2006 Hass had an eight-page feature interview in Modern Drummer Magazine. He is now a regular educational contributor in the "ask a pro" and "workshop" columns.
Since establishing a second residence in Los Angeles in 2007, Steve regularly performs with pianist and Tony Williams alumnus Alan Pasqua, along with saxophone virtuoso Bob Sheppard. He is also a visiting faculty member at such schools as USC, LA Music Academy, and The New School for Jazz in New York City.
Here is a short list of Steve Hass' musical affiliations:
- The John Scofield Band(Music Of Ray Charles)
- The John Scofield Trio with John Benitez
- Cher
- Ravi Coltrane
- Mavis Staples
- Suzanne Vega
- The New York Voices
- Bob Mintzer
- Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Art Garfunkel
- Danilo Perez
- Traci Lords
- The Manhattan Transfer
- The Lonnie Plaxico Group
- Wynton Marsalis
- Nicholas Payton
- Randy Brecker
- The Alan Pasqua Group
- The Christian McBride Band
- Terell Stafford
- Mark Turner
- Bob Berg
- Will Lee
- Richard Bona
- Abe Laboriel Sr.
- Jimmy Haslip
- Wayne Krantz
- Adam Rodgers
- Larry Coryell
- Debbie Gibson
- Bob Berg
- The East Village Opera Company
- Lucy Woodward
- Vinx