Elvin Jones, Billy Cobham, Lenny White, Buddy Rich, Miles Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles, John Coltrane, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Aretha Franklin, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Mothers Finest, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Al Jarreau, Elton John, Minnie Ripperton, Jimi Hendrix, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Delphonics, Rufus and Chaka Khan and Oh yeah... Richard Pryor. Cause itz important to laugh deeply everyday!!!
Widely acclaimed for his versatility, technological prowess and groove, Omar Hakim is one of the most successful drummers and session men of the past twenty-five years. He has collaborated with artists ranging from Miles Davis to Madonna, and has left his imprint on hundreds recordings including several under his own name.
Born in New York City to a musical family, Omar began playing the drums at age 5. At the age of ten, he was performing publicly with his father Hasan Hakim, a trombone veteran of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie bands, and soon thereafter (during his teenage years) was performing and/or touring with Jae Mason, Labelle, Tom Browne and Hugh Masakela.
Hakim landed his first big break in 1980 when he joined Carly Simon's band. Soon after, he filled in for a tour of the groundbreaking fusion band Weather Report, a job he would keep permanently until the band’s breakup in 1985. In addition to the three albums he recorded with Weather Report,
he also landed a gig playing on David Bowie's 1982 return to the American pop charts, Let's Dance.
His early successes led to dozens of high profile engagements and by the end of the 1980s, Omar had performed on landmark recordings with artists such as Miles Davis (Tutu, Music from Siesta), Dire Straits (Brother in Arms, Money for Nothing) and Sting (Dream of the Blue Turtles, Bring on the Night). In 1989, he even found time to produce and release his first solo album, Rhythm Deep, which earned him his first Grammy nomination.
By this time, Omar was exploring the latest advances in electronic drums and keeping up with the newest recording and percussion technologies. His versatility put him in even greater demand, and his eclectic interests kept him busy in the pop, jazz, rock, fusion and R&B worlds. Through the 1990s into the 2000’s Omar collaborated with dozens of prominent artists including George Benson, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Nile Rogers and CHIC, Anita Baker, Bobby McFerrin, John Scofield, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, Jewel, Mariah Carey, and Madonna to name a few.
In 2000 Omar released his 2nd Solo CD "The Groovesmith" which was Produced, Recorded and Mixed in his personal recording studio "The OH-Zone".
Omar is in the Final Stages of Production on his long awaited 3rd Album, titled “We Are One”.
This Exciting and Eclectic Album features Omar’s Singing, Writing and Performances on Guitar, Keyboards and Percussion, as well as of course… his outstanding Drumming!
Other guests include, Chieli Minucci (Guitar), Gregoire Maret (Harmonica), Scott Tibbs (Keyboards and co-composer), Abdul Zuhri (Guitar) and Jerry Brooks (Bass).
Look out for this Amazing Project in 2008!
Check out our New Radio Ad's on X102.9 in support of out newly recorded songs "Pink Leather Jacket" & Sunshine Superstar" both now available on iTunes Worldwide 747 on itunes. Buy it and Support Jax Music Nationwide! New Music Available on my page to preview along with radio ad. Thanks, JS
Hi Omar, you are inspirational..love everything you do..from Weather Report, to Sting, to CHIC, to David Bowie. much love and respect from Wellington, New Zealand:)
presso FATTORIA LA CORTE ROCCA DEI VALENTI Selva Grossa (Terenzo) - Parma (Italy)
con: Pampa Pavesi, Anna Pisani, Corinna Conci, Marco Martignoni, Celestina Avanzini, Isabella Grott, Clara Conci, Zeno Valenti, Monica Nada, Gianluca Turatti direzione artistica: Corinna Conci a cura di Clara Conci
Great Musician Here ! Thank you for your super swing and for have giving the good tempo at all the wonderful artists with which you have played Welcome in my « FriendshipSpace » it’s a honor to count you among my friends. Thank you for have answered to my invitation Have a wonderful week God bless you I invite ou to stay in touch
