Steve's Biography
"It's all there with Steve," Scofield says. "He has the mindset to play real
R+B, not just 'funky jazz', and we can do straight ahead tunes too. That's
something I've always wanted but haven't fisting
really done until now. I was lucky to
find him. Scofield praising Hass's professionalism and solid groove, says, "I'm
sure if this was twenty years ago Steve wouldn't even be on the road."
John Scofield, Modern Drummer June 2006
Receiving a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Steve Hass
was inspired enough to learn every style of music that existed... "Checking out
the music of the world is very ass
important to me...I have made it a point to study
music from Cuba, Africa, India, the Middle East, from everywhere, in order to
have more tools to use in my career."
Steve Hass continues this philosophy today, from jazz to hip-hop; from world heels
to
rock, all the while traveling around the world, offering a vast musical
knowledge, originality and genuine feel within every rhythm he creates.
At 24 Steve Hass moved to New York City joining the indian
Ravi Coltrane group along
side Lonnie Plaxico, Michael Cain, and Ralph Alessi. Ravi's music was a mixture
of hard bop, funky odd meter grooves and free improvisation. During his five
years with the group, Hass was also indian
freelancing and recording with several local
singer/songwriters and working at jingle houses in New York City including
In April of 2003 Hass heard of an audition for Atlantic recording artists The
Manhattan Transfer, known for their brilliant vocal harmony, musical versatility
and the high level musicians in their band. Previous drummers on Manhattan
Transfer recordings include
Exactly two years later in April of 2005, while on tour with Janis Siegel and
Alan Pasqua, Hass received a call from guitarist and
Whether it's playing a 12/8 ballad behind Art Garfunkel or Billy Joel, trading
8's with guitar legend George Benson, flowing through a funk groove in 13 with
the Ravi Coltrane Group, or playing a variety of styles with The John Scofield
Band, the ability to speak and communicate through music is what matters to
Steve Hass.
Debut solo CD Steve Hass "Traveler" is now available!