The Diary of Patrick Xavier

Born in New Orleans, Hamm spent his childhood and youth in Champaign, Illinois, where he studied bass and piano, played in the stage band at Champaign Central High School, and was selected to the Illinois All-State Band.

Hamm graduated from Hanover High in Hanover, New Hampshire in 1978 while living in Norwich, Vermont. Following high school, he attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he met guitarist Steve Vai and, through him, met Joe Satriani.

Hamm played bass on Vai's debut solo album, Flex-Able, which was released in 1984.

He has performed and recorded with Steve Vai, Frank Gambale, Joe Satriani and many other well-respected guitarists. It was playing live on tour with Satriani that brought Hamm's skills to national attention. Subsequent recordings with Satriani and other rock/fusion artists, along with the release of his own solo recordings, solidified his reputation as a bassist and performer.

The Cover over Hamm's new solo album is based on a portrait I shot at my mobile studio at the Music Store in Cologne somewhere in 2016. 

If you are interested in details about this album, read the interview with Stu Hamm!

The story behind this album is killer!