Who Is Hamm?

Pianist, composer, teacher, Dennis Hamm began playing the piano at age four and by college he had developed a passion for jazz and salsa music. Hamm attended Citrus College in Glendora and California State University Bakersfield where he studied piano and composition under Dr. Doug Davis. He was twice a member of the best combo and twice won the top pianist award at the largest west coast college jazz festival, Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival at UC Berkley.

Hamm began playing professionally at age 18 and has since worked with a diverse mix of artists ranging from latin jazz percussionist Pete Escovedo to country music legends Buck Owens' "Buckaroos." Among the artists he has performed or recorded with are Crosby Loggins (son of Kenny Loggins), John Densmore (The Doors), Justo Almario, Will Kennedy & Jimmy Haslip (The Yellowjackets), Ronald Bruner Jr., Melvin Davis, Jimmy Branly, Carlitos del Puerto, Sandro Albert, Monty Byrom, The Smokin' Armadillos, and his own original projects including funk/jazz group Mother Funk Conspiracy featuring L.A. saxophonist Zane Musa, as well as his own trios and quartets featuring Hamm's original compositions and some of L.A.'s finest jazz musicians.

Press & Reviews:

• "Dennis is a monster. The greatest Jazz keyboardist I've ever met far and away." - Crosby Loggins
  
  
• "It was a joy and a revelation for me to hear and play with someone so young yet so accomplished, understated, lyrical and cliche-free." - Richard Simon
  
  
• Cover Story
  Sunday, May 19, 2002, an article featuring Dennis Hamm appeared on the front page of The Bakersfield Californian.

Discography:

• The Jane Doe's - "You Bring The Devil" 2005
• MFC - "The Mother Funk Conspiracy" (Housekeeping Records) 2004
• The Smokin' Armadillos - "Strike the Match" (Housekeeping Records) 2003
• Dennis Hamm - "Dennis Hamm and the Citrus Allstars" 1999
• Mother Funk Conspiracy - "Heavy Junk" 1998
• Mento Buru - "No Dancing Please" (Moon Ska Records, NYC) 1997

Venues & Festivals:

• Shorline Amphitheatre - San Jose, CA
• The Kennedy Center - Washington D.C.
• Chronicle Pavillion - Concord, CA
• The Gorge Amphitheater - George, WA
• Luther Burbank Center - Santa Rosa, CA
• The Baked Potatoe - Hollywood, CA
• B.B. King's Blues Club - Hollywood, CA
• Buck Owen's Crystal Palace - Bakersfield, CA
• Centennial Garden - Bakersfield, CA
• Bakersfield Convention Center - Bakersfield, CA
• Fox Theater - Bakersfield, CA
• Bakersfield Jazz Festival - CSUB Amphitheatre, Bakersfield, CA
• Cambria Jazz Festival - Cambria, CA