BIOGRAPHY
Ernie Hammes studied classical music in Luxembourg as well as in France before he joined the Luxembourg Army Concert Band in 1987 to become their principal trumpet. In 1991 he started his jazz studies with Ack VAN ROOYEN at the Conservatory of THE HAGUE, (NL). In 1997, he went to New York City to study at the MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC with Lew SOLOFF.
Ernie recorded 5 cd’s under his own name and he can be heard as a sideman on over 35 recordings in various music genres. His first cd, “FESTIVAL”, recorded in 1997 , features classical trumpet works with organ and chamber orchestra.
“STEPWISE”, released three years later, shows Ernies’ jazz skills together with his own group and guest musicians Lew SOLOFF and Bob MINTZER.
Lew is also the producer of this album.
The third cd, “NIGHT LIGHTS”, recorded live and also featuring his band, is released in February 2005.
In December 2005, “TRUMPET CLASSICS”, a recording with trumpet, organ and brass quintet is released.
You can also hear Ernie on the new Maynard FERGUSON album, “MF6, live at Ronnie’s”, released early 2006. He is also featured on the tribute to Maynard FERGUSON dvd together with trumpeters Eric MYASHIRO, Andrea TOFANELLI, Wayne BERGERON, Carl FISCHER and Roger INGRAM.
“RETOUR A GOREE” , a documentary/musical dvd about jazz and slavery, released in june 2007, features Ern ie amongst African singer Youssou N’DOUR.
In 2007, Ernie released the cd “FREED & FEIER” which includes a musical suite commissioned by the city of Luxembourg for the fireworks for the Luxembourg National day 2007.
In July 2008, “ABOVE THE CLOUDS” , the new cd of the Amina FIGAROVA GROUP is coming out, a band that Ernie tours with throughout Europe, Canada and the USA .
His latest cd “SANFRANCHA” is released in march 2011 and features his band “CUBOP” & many international guest artists. The original compositions are strongly latin-influenced.
Ernie performed as sideman or soloist in over 25 countries worldwide with a.o. Paul ANKA, Youssou N’DOUR, Chaka KHAN, The SUPREMES, Diane SCHUUR, Maynard FERGUSON & Big Bop Nouveau, the Dizzy GILLESPIE ALL STAR BIG BAND, the Duke ELLINGTON Orchestra, Carla BLEY & Steve SWALLOW Big Band, BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, Slide HAMPTON, James MOODY, Randy BRECKER, Lew SOLOFF , Claudio RODITI, Bob MINTZER, Dave LIEBMAN, Idris MUHAMMAD, Amina FIGAROVA, Claude BOLLING, BLECHSCHADEN, Ernie HAMMES Group, MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA…as well as with the BBC WALES SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA , ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE LUXEMBOURG, ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE NANCY, KOSICE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, LATVIAN PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA…
…appeared at the Blue Note and Birdland in New York, Ronnie Scott’s Club/London, Basement/Sydney, as well as during the Jazzfestivals in Newport, Chicago, Montreux, New Orleans, Portland, North Sea Jazz , Pori, Umbria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Concertgebouw , Amsterdam.
Also in 1997, Ernie received the “DOWNBEAT Student Music Award” for jazz ensemble and big band, while studying at the MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC with Lew SOLOFF.
In 2008 nominee for the Eruodjango awards in the category “Masters of Jazz”.
“…Ernie is one of the young musicians on today’s scene that are very unique because of their versatility. He has great ideas for his jazz playing and on top of that is a wonderful classical soloist. I truly love having Ernie in my band and I believe that he will have a great career on his own…”
Maynard FERGUSON, May 2002
“…Ernie Hammes is a very creative jazz musician and a superb classical soloist…”
Lew SOLOFF, January 2000
“…Ernie is a first rate trumpet player who covers an awful lot of ground with his playing and writing. Working with him was always a rewarding and highly musical experience. Keep your eyes on this musician…”
Bob MINTZER, March 2002
“…Trumpeter Ernie Hammes is an exceptional artist! His in-depth knowledge of jazz, latin music, baroque and symphonic music, puts him in a very special category. We have known each other for a number of years, and I always see a continuous development and growth of his artistry.
I am very happy to have participated in this fiery new project of Ernie's and wish him a lot of success…”
Claudio Roditi, March 2011
Please visit www.erniehammes.com