June 2002 Update Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by. I just arrived home from a 10-day tour with The Manhattan Transfer . The shows went great. The first part of the tour was 3 nights in Cincinnati with The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. It was a gas playing those "Basie" charts with a full brass section behind me. They were swingin'! Right now the Transfer has 3 to 4 dates a week until July when we go out Europe. This allows me to keep up my NYC gig/recording schedule. On the recording scene this month, I'm in the studio with inspirational singer/songwriter NESHAMA, singer/songwriters Dana Mase, Scott Sylvester, Matt Guido, Kaz Silva's and Nat Foote's KAZBA, and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. You can also find me on new releases by Christos Rafalides' Manhattan Vibes with Randy Brecker, Matt Parrish's debut entitled Circles, So Long from Nini Camps and Lovepie. I also did my first live recording with The Manhattan Transfer. We recorded as guests with The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra directed by Eric Kunzel. Other guests were Antonio Hart, and John Pizzarelli. The "Hassbeats" loop C.D. is just starting. Veteran engineer/producer John Wolfson and I will be working on my first audio loop library. The CD will have drum-set grooves and fills as well as percussion grooves. If you happen to be in NYC this month, check out my tour dates page. I'll be in town performing with CHERRY ,Jo Davidson, Joe Brack, Lovepie, Manhattan Vibes, Miri Ben-Ari, and Neshama Carlebach. I have encountered some great reading material while on the road with The Manhattan Transfer. This is an inspiring book by a great drummer/teacher and good friend Dom Famularo called The Cycle Of Self-Empowerment. Every musician and even non-musician has something to gain from this motivational read. I highly recommend it. Well, that's all folks. More news next month. Until then feel free to hang out and get involved by posting a message, or asking a question. See you next month. - Steve Hass << BACK