From
Steve Tyrell and Patti Austin to Michael Buble and Rod Stewart, contemporary
vocal greats love to mine the enduring magic of the Great American Songbook. As
brilliant as their choices often are, it’s very possible that if they ever
chose to explore other horizons, they just might see that …well, in the words
of famed lyricist Carolyn Leigh, “The Best Is Yet To Come.”
If those
singers are looking for new songs that embody the exquisite combination of
smart, sophisticated, contemporary and classic, they’ve got a fascinating “one
stop shop” waiting for them with the fast growing catalog of Al Hammerman. No
longer one of St. Louis’ best kept musical secrets, he is one of today’s most
versatile and prolific composers. Bringing the lyrical cleverness and melodic
infectiousness of songs from those previous times to the contemporary musical
landscape, he is renowned as a “songwriter for the ages.”
With
innovative, pop/jazz/swing styled songs that evoke both story and emotion,
Hammerman’s music captures the style and imagination of legendary composers
such as Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and Jobim. Over the past few years, numerous
film and TV music supervisors have taken note, placing Hammerman songs in the
films “Becoming Santa,” “Demoted” and “The Entitled,” in addition to the shows
“The Good Guys” (FOX) and “The Defenders” (CBS). Most recently, the composer’s
whimsical “Rather Be Lucky” appeared in “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,”
starring Steve Carell and Jim Carrey.
Adele’s
massive success with her breakup oriented 21 and Taylor Swift’s pantheon of ex
boyfriend hits notwithstanding, Hammerman says, “I’ve been inspired to write
songs by both happy and sad times in my life – but life sure is a lot more fun
when you’re happy. I essentially write songs that I would want to listen to and
truly love it when people say that my music makes them smile. At the core for
me is always a catchy melody and lyrics that are relatable, but perhaps say
something that’s been said a million times before, in a fresh new way.”
Creatively
speaking, one of the biggest boons to the more cheerful, playful and optimistic
side of Hammerman’ songwriting has been his very supportive wife Julia, whom he
immortalizes with his charming gentle bossa-flavored song, “Only Julia.” Other titles reflecting the generally
positive spirit where Hammerman’s musical heart dreams these days include
“Something About Her,” “Road To Happy,” “Sweet Dreams,” “A Kiss Could Happen,”
“Mr. Moon,” “Kiss My Jazz,” “Nothing But Time,” “Falling All Over” and “New
Kind of Cool.”
Hammerman
has been a powerful musical force and impresario in his native St. Louis since
2006, when as a virtual unknown he gathered some of the city’s best local
singers and produced “All New Songs.” This showcase performance of his
all-original songs was held at the 700 seat Sheldon Concert Hall, to raise
money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charitable organization near and dear
to the songwriter’s heart. Make-A-Wish, founded in 1980, grants the wishes of
children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United
States and its territories. Their mission is to enrich the human experience
with hope, strength and joy.
“I have seen firsthand what the power of a
granted wish has on these kids’s emotional well being, says Hammerman. “I
really wanted to find a way to contribute, besides just giving money, and
remembered that I had previously and coincidentally written a song called ‘Make
A Wish.’ I had not been in the habit of presenting my songs publically, but
decided why not send this one to the Make A Wish Foundation for any potential
use. Unknowingly at that same time they were seeking music for a new
promotional video, loved my song and thought it would fit perfectly. I was
thrilled and with that positive feedback and encouragement, I decided to record
a CD of original songs to benefit Make A Wish. Somehow though, as one thing
always leads to another, I not only ended up producing a CD but also a full
blown live benefit concert of my original songs”.
Hammerman’s
first show was so successful that he was invited by the organization in 2006 to
co-chair Make-A-Wish’s next gala at the Ritz Carlton, which again featured
performances of his original songs. This was followed by a second major benefit
concert called “Just Lucky” in 2008 and
a third called “I Got A Song” in 2011.”
In conjunction with each of these three shows, Hammerman released (both
digitally and on CD) recordings featuring studio versions of the songs featured
in the show. The CD I Got A Song includes a live version of “Guys
Like Us,” performed as a duet on stage by Hammerman and the very talented Alan
Ox.
Recently,
Hammerman was asked to participate on the advisory board of a wonderful new St.
Louis based children’s charitable organization called “Kids Rock Cancer” –
which uses his “I Got A Song” as their promotional theme. Sponsored by
Maryville University, Kids Rock Cancer is an innovative music therapy program
that helps children successfully cope with the challenges that accompany a
cancer diagnosis. Using a portable recording studio, a songwriter assists the
hospitalized children as they write and record their very own special song
based on their real time emotions, hopes and dreams. Hammerman is currently
working on a new live show titled, “My Kind of Music,” to help raise money for
the organization. The concert will include many brand new songs from his
upcoming fourth CD, which is expected to be released early next year.
Much of
Hammerman’s love of “The Standards” stems from the passion of his parents, who
played great artist like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole, as well
as musical theater soundtracks, throughout the house during his childhood. He
wrote his first piano piece at age eight and took lessons at a conservatory
known as the St. Louis Institute of Music through his early adolescence. During
his teens, he recalls his Sunday school teacher wanting the class to put on a
musical to celebrate the end of confirmation classes; she wanted Hammerman to sing
“Luck Be A Lady,” which he did – with lyrics he had completely rewritten!
As he
continues to emerge as a songwriter, Hammerman also teaches at the university
level and expresses his love and appreciation for musical history in a unique
way: collecting antique musical instruments dating back to the 16th Century.
Among his historical treasures—which inspire musings about who originally
played them—are a harpsichord from the 1500s, a piano from the 1800s and harps
from the 1700s.
Hammerman
,who is currently also contemplating writing a stage musical, sums up his
passion with the following; “To me, the most exciting aspect of being a
songwriter is truly that moment when I finish a song and realized I’ve created
something special. At that point no one has heard it and whether it is
ultimately successful or not, there’s a great feeling of creativity,
originality and accomplishment.”
Al
Hammerman is a Composer & Lyricist based in St. Louis, MO.
