The Long Version
Musician, Citizen Artist, Educator, Composer, and Film Maker, Joe Hamm has dedicated his music career to the dynamic intersection at socially equitable music programming and original music making.
He performs, teaches, records, and writes music for rock, indie, and jazz groups. In 2008 Joe's career skyrocketed with the MTV Woodie Award nomination and appearance on the nationally televised show with his band Chasing Arrows at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. That experience lead to a Bronx based management deal with Nicon Entertainment Group and subsequent independently released recordings.
Joe has produced, written, performed, and recorded with Lux Nova, Jake Hull, Junto, and Jonah Ross. Joe has also performed with interdisciplinary ensembles in conjunction with glass artists, DJs, visual artists, and dancers. Soundscapes' recent collaboration with Carnegie Hall and Play USA selected the collective composition "See My Friends Again" which Joe Produced and Co-Wrote alongside student musicians. The song was premiered at Carnegie Hall's In Response virtual concert. The collaboration continues.
As a Citizen Artist, Joe worked with Rey Ramirez and Anne Henry to start Soundscapes, the 4th United States program inspired by the El Sistema philosophy beginning in the fall of 2009 into an internationally recognized leader in the El Sistema movement. Soundscapes' recent collaboration with Carnegie Hall and Play USA selected the collective composition "See My Friends Again" which Joe Produced and Co-Wrote alongside student musicians. The song was premiered at Carnegie Hall's In Response virtual concert. The collaboration continues.
Soundscapes uses intensive music study and ensemble performance to build essential executive, social, and critical thinking skills in children. Soundscapes enrolls over 400 children at 5 different title 1 schools annually in Newport News, Virginia. As Creative Content Manager, and Teaching Artist, Joe has worked to build the program since its beginning, and made music accessible to thousands of students throughout Coastal Virginia. At Soundscapes, Joe leads collective music composition workshops with student musicians ages 6-25. As Artist in Residence at CNU, Joe is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Music and Performing Arts.
Joe's conviction that music has the power to change lives charged him to contribute building to the United States El Sistema movement.
El Sistema USA supports 130 member programs serving over 20,000 students living primarily in socio-economically disadvantaged communities throughout the United States. Joe has been a presenter and co-facilitator at El Sistema USA national symposiums, leading and co-leading Teaching Artist focused workshops in Philadelphia, Durham, Los Angeles with Eric Booth, Dan Trahey, fellow members of the El Sistema USA Board of Directors, and many talented Teaching Artists.
As a freelance drummer, Joe supports solo artist Jonah Ross in the Jonah Ross Band, through his 2022 EP release "These Days." Joe also plays drums for Jacob Vanko. His jazz band Graviton is currently in early stages of development and is recording and booking as well.
Joe Hamm earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Christopher Newport University.