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I have been a drummer for over 30 years. Maybe Steve Hass' style is exactly the way I think music should be played. Whatever the reason, Hass takes his influences from opposite ends of the musical spectrum and makes them his own. I have never heard anyone cover so much ground and sound so good.
Steve is an American drummer. His groove runs deep, behind the beat. On songs JBenJazz,Groove Me, People Get Ready, and Skylark, he's a mish mosh of Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, Shawn Pelton, and Jim Keltner. On "718" he has a smooth brazlian groove reminicscent of Airto with Al Dimeola. On Song Is You, he could easily replace any drummer playing with Danilo Perez or any other latin jazz artist. Except, Hass actually swings hard in the bridge sections, and he doesn't rush when he plays an R+B groove. Hass never get's in the way of the groove with his fills. He simply adds to the feel.
Each fill is musical and melodic. And when it comes time to solo, it's polyrhythmic, dynamic, and musical. He draws from Jeff "Tain" Watts and Vinnie Colaiuta, yet, sounds like neither.
"Traveler" is one of my favorite CDs. Not because it's original or well produced, but because Hass' ability to sound authentic and still be himself simply amazes me.
Is Steve Hass the best? Well, for my taste, he's the most versatile, recognizable, professional drummer I have ever heard.
Rob Marshall
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