Press, Reviews & Awards

Press & Reviews | Awards & Recognitions

Press & Reviews:

  • "Keyboardist Dennis Hamm is another find. He played with a keen sense of dynamics. His thoughtful solo on “Blues for Bali” showed an understanding of Bill Evans, and Hamm let his chords resonate at the end of a given phrase, to dramatic effect." - Los Angeles City Beat

  • "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

  • "Mother Funk Conspiracy [is] honestly one of the most exciting and simultaneously accessible funk fusion acts I've heard... Dennis is a monster. The greatest Jazz keyboardist I've ever met far and away." - Crosby Loggins, SoulsAndSounds.com, Jan 2005

  • bakersfield californian
    "Hamm...is the jack-of-all-styles in Bakersfield's music scene. He's made a name for himself by playing everything from jazz (his Mother Funk Conspiracy) and country (Smokin' Armadillos) to rock (Monty Byrom and the Possible Side Effects), ska (Mento Buru) and Latin (Salsiology)." View front page
    "Living for the Music", The Bakersfield Californian's front page article on Sunday, May 19, 2002. (mirror of the page.)

  • "He's absolutely New York ready" - Dr. Doug Davis, director of Jazz Studies at CSUB, May 1999

  • "Jazz Pianist Dennis Hamm is in demand. As a newcomer to the West Coast music scene, he has already racked up an impressive list of credits..." - Arts Council of Kern, December 1999

  • "The technical proficiency of these musicians [Mother Funk Conspiracy] provided a wonderful show, and their performance was truly a groove." - Eddie Ruff, CSUB Runner, June 9, 1999

  • "Very funky and competent music from this new band [Mother Funk Conspiracy]. Well worth supporting." - The Cool Keys Page

  • "[Dennis Hamm] has gained an extraordinary facility in the Latin piano tradition, a result of his dedicated efforts and investigation of the Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba." - Dr. Doug Davis, CSUB, 1998

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Awards & Recognitions:

-College-
  • "PCCJF Award for Outstanding Pianist" and "PCCJF Award for Outstanding Community Combo" - Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival, Berkeley, CA, 1996 & 1999

  • "Outstanding Instrumentalist Award" - CSU Fullerton Jazz Festival, 1999

  • "International Association of Jazz Educators Scholarship Award for Outstanding Performer" - Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival, Berkeley, CA, 1997

  • "Fred McDonnell Memorial Scholarship" - CSU Bakersfield, 1994, 95 & 96

  • "Bill Burton Memorial Scholarship Award" - CSU Bakersfield, 1994
-High School-
  • "Outstanding Soloist" - Wasco Jazz Festival, 1994

  • "Featured Soloist" - California Distinguished School Awards Ceremony, 1994

  • "Most Valuable" - South High School Jazz Band, 1994

  • "Most Outstanding Senior" - South High School Symphonic Band, 1994

  • "1st Chair Percussionist" - Kern County Honor Band , 1993 & 94

  • "Most Outstanding Sophomore" - South High School Symphonic Band, 1992

  • "Most Outstanding Freshman" - South High School Symphonic Band, 1991