Randy Zellers (Guitars)
Steve Bartkoski (Piano)
Mark Foley (Bass)
Steve Hatfield (Drums)
Special Guests: Jerry Hahn (Guitar) and Bret Boyer (Lap Steel)
Influences
John Scofield, Radiohead, Bill Frisell, The Beatles, Bjork, Matt Wilson, Solagget, Thelonious Monk, Aphex Twin, Duke Ellington, Roy Haynes, Bryan Masters, Dave Holland, Ben Folds, The Bad Plus, David Berkman, Thom Yorke, Nikki Moddelmog, Wilco, Bret Boyer, Elliot Smith, Frank Sinatra, Tony McCall, Jerry Hahn, Brad Mehldau, Peter Erskine, Planet Paul Carter, Jim Keltner, Urban John, Tortoise, and The Partridge Family.
Sounds Like
The Bad Plus meets John Scofield meets Brad Mehldau meets Bill Frisell.
If there is hope for jazz in this still-young century it rests in the hands and hearts of artists such as Steve Hatfield, a composer and player dedicated to clarity of expression, to the melody, harmony and rhythms of music as well as life. Hatfield..s music captures the full beauty of the human experience....the serenity of twilight and the burst of hopeful rays that come with morning light.
His emotional range is evident in original compositions such as ..Just Be Wally,.. ..Wacky Shack.. and ..As You Were,.. but it..s also evident in his choice of covers....the haunting pop masterpiece ..6 Underground.. (Sneaker Pimps) and Joe Jackson..s equally masterful ..Steppin.. Out... The interplay between Hatfield, bassist Mark Foley, guitarist Randy Zellers and keyboardist Steve Bartkoski is remarkable not just in the musical acumen displayed but in each musician..s dedication to the emotional expression behind each song. The music is heartfelt but not absent of humor (as evidenced on Bartkoski..s ..Mosley Street Motorcycle Gang..) and always rewarding for the listener.
Joined by jazz legend Jerry Hahn on ..Mosley Street.. and the stunning ..As You Were,.. and lap steel player Bret Boyer (..Never New.. and the title cut), Hatfield has crafted one of the most fascinating albums to emerge from Wichita, Kansas....or anywhere else....in recent memory.
Forget what you know or believe about genres, about clichés, about jazz, or rock, or instrumentals, guys named Steve, or anything else and instead embrace the music contained on Just Be Wally. The music is all you need to know.
Jedd Beaudoin, Wichita, Kansas 11 October 2006
Hey Steve! Man I was just wanting to drop you a line and see how you are doing. So how are you doing? I hope that evrything is going your way in the world. Holla back at me man. God Bless u and your family. Peace!
Do you like fiddle music? Are you a fiddler? Then join us in the Fiddle World - sometimes called the Facebook for Fiddlers!
http://fiddleworld.ning.com
It's free to join and we're always looking for new members...see you there
The percussive sound qualities you produce are unique and wonderful! My late father "Gary Fletcher" and I appreciate your contributions to music throughout the greater Wichita Area for these many years! Best Wishes, Geoff Fletcher
We're now accepting submissions for our next mixtapes, please submit your info at www. coast2coastsubmissions. com for your chance to get a spot on the next mixtape!
Really dig your version of "Steppin' Out" on the Wichita Creative Music Society site. Very cool. Oh, and the light show. I had a "Pink Floyd laser light show" moment.
Mr. Hatfield! You are so the man! Thank you for the lessons when I was getting back in the game! I will be in touch for more! Take care our percussion guru!
