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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 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
After attending Boston's prestigious Berklee College Of Music on full scholarship, Steve Hass moved to New York City joining the Ravi Coltrane Group. Along side Lonnie Plaxico, Michael Cain, and Ralph Alessi, Steve was playing a mixture of hard bop, funky odd meter grooves and free improvisation in Ravi's band. During his five years with the group, Hass was also freelancing and recording with several local singer/songwriters and working at jingle houses in New York City including Fluid Post Music, Three Tree Productions, Ian London Productions, and Red House to name a few. He had local weekly gigs with The Bitter End house band, The Blue Note house band and Monday nights at Zinc Bar with The Ron Affif Trio. He also had touring stints with artists such as, Richard Bona, Christian McBride, Suzanne Vega, Miri Ben Ari and many more. The Ravi Coltrane group gave Steve his first major label album credit for the critically acclaimed Mad 6, released on Sony Music, as well numerous european tours. At 24 years of age, Hass was touring and recording with some of the world's most influential artists and making a name for himself as an in demand session musician.
In April of 2003, Hass heard of an audition for Atlantic recording artists The Manhattan Transfer. The band held auditions in New York City and Los Angeles. Hass was asked to join the eight-time Grammy winners and immediately went on the road. After numerous world tours, four albums and a live Christmas concert DVD, Hass continues to work with the group as his schedule permits. In October 2003 Hass released his debut solo "Traveler" featuring some of New York City's top players. Traveler received critical acclaim and Hass' version of "Skylark" featuring vocalist Janis Seigel was included on a special C.D. release from the Hoagy Carmichael foundation.
Exactly two years later, in April of 2005, Hass received a call from guitarist and Miles Davis alumnus, John Scofield. Scofield was releasing a Ray Charles Tribute album called That's What I Say, and needed a drummer to cover traditional R+B, funk, jazz and latin. Scofield asked Hass to be his touring drummer for the "Ray Charles project." The band had several tours in 2005 through the end of 2006. Their last tour featured legendary gospel singer, Mavis Staples and was a great success.
In 2008, Hass decided to settle down in Los Angeles, performing locally with such greats as Bob Sheppard, Bob Mintzer, Alan Pasqua, John Beasley, Bill Cunliffe, Jimmy Haslip, Mitch Forman, David Garfield, Dennis Hamm, Jeff Babko and more. In 2010 he teamed up with "The Difference". "The Difference" is the production team of Adam Gurr and Carlton Douglas. Together they created Hassbeat Production Studios, a full service production company and recording studio where Steve is able to produce music and record drum tracks for artists around the world.
Whether it's playing a 12/8 ballad behind Art Garfunkel , 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.
