Zachariah Hickman was raised by two lovely parents in Lynchburg, VA, home of both televangelist Jerry Falwell and the C.B. Fleet enema company. An average piano student as a child, he was of above-average height, and was switched the tuba at the tender age of 12. Frequent bouts with marching bands followed. He became aware of the bass as an instrument in the fourth grade, picked to act as Guns and Roses' bassist Duff McKagan in a talent show lip-sync to "Patience." He would acquire an electric bass years later, five months after committing himself as the bassist in his first band, Mahogany Firewood. They were terrible. During his high school years, Zack put out records he recorded on his Fostex four-track for his own Ceramic Lady Music label, and started to play other instruments, mainly guitar and harmonica. At some point he discovered the acoustic bass, studying with local guru Ed Mikenas, and cutting his teeth for years at awkward jazz summer camps. He is the only graduate from the now-defunct Virginia School of the Arts jazz program.
These studies eventually lead him to the Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music, where in 2001 he graduated with a BM in Jazz Double Bass performance and a BA in English literature. There he studied with bassist Peter Dominguez, and met and performed with any number of incredible musicians and teachers. Zack and his friend Josh Ritter made their first recording during Zack's freshman year, and play together to this day. During his college years Zack made records with lots of student bands and local artists, lived abroad in Dublin for a semester, made a Moby Dick hat, and produced a full-length circus.
Immediately after college Zack performed as part of the Jazz Aspen Snowmass festival, run by bassist Christian McBride. He then relocated to the Boston area, where he currently resides. Zack spends his time as a bassist and multi-instrumentalist for local and national acts of all sorts, playing rock and roll, bluegrass, jazz, and most anything that comes his way. He is on tour for most of the year. He also plays a variety of instruments (in varying degrees of competency), from the lap steel to the ukulele to the pump organ. In his spare time, Zack enjoys growing handlebar mustaches and sneaking into movies. He is forever indebted to the great friends and musicians in his life, most of whom are both.
Its been a long time! I think since June 13th @ Passim. I wanted to stop on through and say hello. I'd love to hear how things are with you. I hope the Ireland shows were as fun, rowdy and awesome as I imagine them to be.
Let's catch up soon. I hope everything is good. :)
All the best, Jason
PS: I can't imagine what you have whipped up for Halloween but I am sure you are going to take Cambridge by storm.
New pics, new videos and new LIVE tunes going up today! Let me know what you think! Sending some ATX (that's Austin Texas) love out to everyone. Ruby Jane
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
I wanted to wish you a very happy, inspired, and food-filled Thanksgiving. Thanks for the call back 'bout Studio B, sorry I flaked this time :) Lets catch up real soon. Hope you are doing great.
Please check out my latest CD release: Billy Don Burns THE BERLIN TAPES Outlaw-Country at its finest, a must for fans of Waylon, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, David Allan Coe, etc.
Thanks for the add. So you're a Virginian too. I grew up 75 miles away from Lynchburg. You & Josh should come play a show here in Southwest Virginia sometime.
yo brother! How are you? Can't wait for lizard lounge..gonna be rockin. will you be around this weekend? playing passim on sunday night at 7:30. All new music with my boys..the band is ridiculous. Would be cool to see you.. much love
1.) the color of paradise 2.) the life aquatic 3.) some like it hot 4.) amelie 5.) much ado about nothing 6.) the scarlet pimpernel 7.) reality bites 8.) notes on a scandal 9.) annie hall 10. ) amadeus
Tickets are now on sale for John Waters, Sandra Bernhard, the FIXX and 100 other artists!!! You can purchase tickets by visiting www. unicityfestival. com . We hope to see you there!
