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For years, the name Bruce Hayes has been synonomous with the Colorado sound; a fusion of musical styles that combines acoustic and electric instrumentation with elements of Rock, Bluegrass, Celtic, and R&B music. Collaborating with The String Cheese Incident and Acoustic Junction in the mid-nineties, Hayes helped define the acoustic jam band sound. He continues this tradition performing original songs and arrangements on Mandolin, Guitar, steel, and an amplified foot board of his own design.
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, recording engineer, one man band -Bruce Hayes does it all. The forty-something entertainer has been a professional musician since high school and his experience shows.
On stage Hayes' presence is electrifying. He taps his feet on an amplified floor board, slaps accents on his guitar and cheeks, wails on the harmonica and sings charismatically. His fingers dance around the strings with incredible fluidity creating rich harmonic textures and rapid-fire riffs.
The music is fresh and original but steeped in tradition; borrowing from blues, bluegrass, celtic, world beat, folk, rock and jazz.
Inspired by the Beatles and the Monkees, Hayes began studying music at age seven. His mother, a former broadway dancer, would insist that he study piano first, but his attention was always diverted by a small Sears Silvertone guitar. He formed his first band in seventh grade and got his first paid gig as guitarist for the High school jazz ensemble when he was fifteen. In College he majored in classical guitar but after attending his first bluegrass festival he traded the classical guitar for a mandolin and began performing at ski areas.
Perfoming as a solo act, a sideman, or with his bands, Hayes has given over 3,000 performances in many of America’s finest music venues, and several prominent music festivals. His music has taken him across the continent a dozen times, and twice around Europe. He's jammed on stage with Joe Cocker, Arlo Guthrie, New Riders, Acoustic Syndicate, Railroad Earth, Darrell Scott, Tim O'Brien, Drew Emmitt; opened shows for David Bromberg, Jorma Kaukonen, Merle Sanders, Subdudes, Neville Bros., Dave Mathews, Sam Bush and David Lindley; and recorded in Nashville for grammy winning producer, Jon Vezner.
In 1997, Ragged Mountain Records released Hayes' second album, LUNCH. A follow-up to the popular PACK OF DOGS compilation CD that Hayes produced and performed on, LUNCH features more of Colorado's finest musicians including Tony Furtado, members of Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Acoustic Junction, The Motet, and the BRUCE HAYES BAND.
Hayes recently released his first official solo live CD. Recorded near his Colorado home at The Salida Cafe, the disc features 13 original songs (and one Hendrix tune) spanning his 30 year carreer. His zany one-man-band stage antics, looping, and foot stomping are finally available for all to hear.
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