Recordings
Music For Percussion (Mostly)
By Todd Hammes and his Tool and Drum Ensemble
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.
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.
Tracks
1. Four Movements from Remembering I Buy MP3
2. Four Movements from Remembering II Buy MP3
3. Four Movements from Remembering III Buy MP3
4. Four Movements from Remembering IV Buy MP3
5. Kalimba on Marimba Buy MP3
6. 14+8: A Mood Buy MP3
7. Eh Wa Ba Wa Jo Buy MP3
8. Marimba, Pan and Tabla Buy MP3
9. Speedway Boulevard: Tucson Buy MP3
10. Four Steps Buy MP3
11. Inconsistencies Buy MP3
12. My Hunter of Dragonflies Buy MP3
Thoughts
Todd Hammes, percussion.
In his groundbreaking first commercial recording, Todd establishes his world class credentials as a composer/percussionist of vision and sensitivity, performing with mastery on nearly three dozen percussion instruments from around the globe, and setting an exceptional standard for subsequent recorded work.
“Hammes is a percussionist of immense range, with an innate sense of touch, tone and color. There’s plenty of variety and peerless virtuosity on this five-star effort. Snag it!”
Dan Buckley, The Tucson Citizen
“…evidence of Hammes’ strengths, particularly his expertise of the performance of music of non-Western cultures, his ability to use folk instruments in new and musically viable ways, and his impressive skills in improvisation.”
John R. Rausch, Percussive Notes: The Journal of the Percussive Arts Society
“…a very pleasure listening experience…I especially enjoyed the Split Silk piece and Ubi Caritas. Both of these showed a uniqueness in your musical vision.”
Glen Velez, world drummer/recording artist
Tracks
1. Tucson Masala Buy MP3
2. Father John Buy MP3
3. Thoughts I Buy MP3
4. Thoughts II Buy MP3
5. Thoughts III Buy MP3
6. Thoughts IV Buy MP3
7. Thoughts V Buy MP3
8. Thoughts VI Buy MP3
9. Split Silk (with Jeff Holsen, double bass and Joseph Pagan, viola) Buy MP3
10. Perceptions I Buy MP3
11. Perceptions II Buy MP3
12. Perceptions III Buy MP3
13. Ubi Caritas Buy MP3
14. Dharma Buy MP3
Open Rail
The Sonoran Consort
William Campbell – piano, keyboards and bamboo flute
Todd Hammes – percussion
Michael Hester – saxophone
In this telling second effort, the Sonoran Consort reasserts its leadership among contemporary American improvisational ensembles. Drawing even more deeply upon a seemingly endless well of creativity and virtuosity, the trio again lures listeners into the mysterious musical territory where they so confidently reside.
“…a sonic document of the trio’s creative journey…soundscapes that embody profound contentment, deep yearning, self-discovery and moments of sheer bliss.”
– Matthew Moon, The Desert Leaf
Tracks
1. Open Rail/Switch Buy MP3
2. Departure Buy MP3
3. Wheels Buy MP3
4. Window View Buy MP3
5. Platform 6/Open Rail Buy MP3
6. Calling Buy MP3
7. Circular Motion Buy MP3
8. Pocket Change Buy MP3
9. Kim’s Theme Buy MP3
10. Friday Improv. No. 1 Buy MP3
11. Suspension Buy MP3
12. Dry Rain Buy MP3
Sonoran Consort
The Sonoran Consort
William Campbell – piano, keyboards and bamboo flute
Todd Hammes – percussion
Michael Hester – saxophone
An astonishing first CD by a remarkably gifted trio, this recording exhibits the dynamic, improvisationally-centered relationship of these three composer/performers.
“More and more, contemporary music ensembles and individual
performers are…freeing themselves not only to ornament and spring from the printed page, but also to broaden the sphere of reference that music draws upon. Tuscon’s Sonoran Consort is among those groups.”
Dan Buckley, Tucson Citizen
Tracks
1. Calling Buy MP3
2. Suspension Buy MP3
3. Dragonfly Buy MP3
4. First Light Buy MP3
5. Wednesday Buy MP3
6. Wandering Sky Buy MP3
7. Running Buy MP3
8. Tell the Moon Buy MP3
9. Sita Buy MP3
10. Arroyo Buy MP3
11. Lotus Buy MP3
12. Calling (Again) Buy MP3
