James Hammel

James has had a passion for singing and playing guitar that spans decades. It was in Connecticut that James met Sal Salvador, (a former jazz great), who introduced him to jazz guitar. Sal ultimately challenged James that he belonged in the world of music, and that one day he would be compelled to embrace it completely. For the better part of his adult life, he considered those words to be wishful thinking and his music remained on the sidelines. Instead he took a 20-year detour building and leading large companies. Along the way he wrote pop songs about his life experiences that are part of his repertoire today. He also continued his focus on jazz songs creating his own fresh and eclectic arrangements of standards from the Great American Songbook.

James has had a passion for singing and playing guitar that spans decades. It was in Connecticut that James met Sal Salvador, (a former jazz great), who introduced him to jazz guitar. Sal ultimately challenged James that he belonged in the world of music, and that one day he would be compelled to embrace it completely. For the better part of his adult life, he considered those words to be wishful thinking and his music remained on the sidelines. Instead he took a 20-year detour building and leading large companies. Along the way he wrote pop songs about his life experiences that are part of his repertoire today. He also continued his focus on jazz songs creating his own fresh and eclectic arrangements of standards from the Great American Songbook.

In 2001, he found himself positioned at the top of the corporate ladder looking off the edge. Never having forgotten Sal's words, he took a dramatic and courageous leap back into songwriting, arranging and performing. At first, this bewildered his family and friends, but ultimately lifted James, and them, to an unprecedented new joy and affirmation that he was fulfilling his destiny.

For the past seven years James has been living in New York City writing and arranging music and performing at clubs and private events, and has recorded his first full-length CD, Do It All Over Again. In addition to being well received as a solo performer at private parties, James has performed with his band in New York City at venues such as The Metropolitan Room, PM, Satalla, and even the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows. He performs solo or with his band. His band includes Daryl Kojak (piano), Dmitri Kolesnik (upright base), Cook Broadnax (drums), Ole Mathisen (sax) and a host of others including brass, strings and background vocalists.

Awards

Billboard awarded James a "Top 500 Songwriters Award for 2005" for his original "Anything, Any Day, Anytime" on his debut CD, Do It All Over Again.

Gear

Guitars: Gibson L5 CES, Gibson ES345, Taylor 914CE, Taylor 814, Manuel Rodriguez Classical Guitar, Carlo Grecco 12 String Acoustic. Amp: 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb