"I
believe that participating in music – rhythmic,
percussive music in particular – has a unique
capability to bring about profound, positive change
in people. I’ve seen that change up close on countless
occasions. For me, it’s the joy of music –
the joy of human connection."
What's new with Todd...
Since
relocating to Madison, Wisconsin in the summer
of 2007, Todd had found new musical and percussive
adventures, established new personal and profes-sional
relationships, and shared his musical gifts with
an ever-widening audience of listeners, musical
collaborators and talented students. Here's
a sampling (check back for occsaional updates!):
Todd has received another
ASCAPlus Award. This is a monetary
award given to composers whose work largely flies
under the radar of traditional royalty tracking
and reporting.
He completed
a commission for a chamber ensemble of
the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, a trio
for two percussion and bass clarinet titled "What
Happened to Thom?". The work should receive
about ten performances this concert season.
His most recent recording, Music for Percussion
(Mostly), has made it onto the GRAMMY’s
preliminary considerations lists in two
separate categories: “Best Classical Music
Performance” and “Best Classical Album.”
For the record, there are 178 nominees in the
first category and 300 in the second. It’s
nice to simply be mentioned.
Innova Records has picked up Todd's three
previous recordings for distribution: Thoughts,
Sonoran Consort, and Sonoron Consort's
Open Rail.
Todd spent two weeks doing in-depth
study with his tabla guru, Pandit Sharda
Sahai.
He presented a lecture
entitled The Influence of Pandit Sharda Sahai
on Percussion Music. The lecture, presented
at the Schulich School of Music of McGill
University in Montreal, focused on Pandit
Sahai's influence on contemporary Western compositions
for tabla, and demonstrated the connection between
traditional tabla repertoire and recent compositions
from composers such as as Bob Becker, Payton MacDonald
and Robert Aldridge.
He began work as a percussion
coach for the Elgin (Illinois) Youth Orchestra.
Todd and his best friend,
Jeanne, adopted a kitten.
No Dates Available
Todd's
latest CD
MUSIC
FOR PERCUSSION (MOSTLY)
By
Todd Hammes and his Tool and Drum Ensemble
on the Innova Record Label. For sale at
www.innova.mu
or from iTunes (see links at left).
Music for Percussion (Mostly) contains a collection
of compositions by percussionist and composer
Todd Hammes. Solo to octet, this recording
represents the new breed of American percussionist.
Composing and improvising. Classically Western
and global. Powerful yet sublime.
Selections
from this remarkable recording have received noted
airplay in Great Britain, Germany, France, Australia
and New Zealand. Additionally, the CD has
been submitted for a Grammy nomination by by Todd's
record label, Innova Records.
The Tool and Drum Ensemble is a collective of
percussionists (mostly) who have been assembled
to realize the music of Todd Hammes. These performers
are classically trained chamber musicians who
are chosen to contribute their own talents and
identities to the music.
Among
the world’s percussionists, Todd Hammes of Madison,
Wisconsin a is a singular individual. Through his music
– a fascinating, eclectic blend of classical,
world and improvisational styles – Todd presents
to the world his own unique inner vision of sound and
music.
Todd’s
work includes performances both domestically and abroad,
extensive musical composition, teaching and outreach
programs to groups large and small. He has trained with
some of the world’s leading percussionists and
is a life-long student of the percussive arts.
In 2005, Todd
was awarded a prestigious McKnight Visiting
Composer Residency from
the American Composer's Forum, which allowed him the
opportunity to make music with the clients and staff
of the South Eastern Minnesota Center for Independent
Living. As
Todd describes it, "Creating music among a community
of adults is a powerful way of bringing new fulfillment,
new exuberance, to their lives. Working with this
group was a gift to me, in more ways than I can express."
Seeing
Master Percussionist Todd Hammes perform live. Listening
to his recorded compositions. Working with him one-on-one
or in an uplifting group experience. Each such opportunity
brings us closer to the inner pulse that animates our
beings and makes us more whole.
Today,
consider yourself introduced – to Todd
Hammes: Percussion at the Speed of Thought.
My
hope is to share the gift of music and rhythm with as
many individuals as possible.
