| Island Dan and
the Beach Bum Band is led by Dan Hammond, best known as Northern New York's
leading steel drum player. The sound
of the steel drum instantly conjures images of sultry evenings on Caribbean
islands ringed by white sandy beaches, crowned with swaying palm trees,
and cooled by ocean breezes. Dan is pleased to be the leading exponent
of the island lifestyle; a little laid back, a little crazy, and very pleasant
if he does say so.
The rebirth of the Beach Bum Band marks the long-awaited
reunion of Dan and guitarist Tony Soluri. For years, Tony has been
recognized as one of the most gifted guitar players in Northern New York,
and is a sought after teacher with a long waiting list of hopeful students.
Long-time followers of the group (who will be showing their age by admitting
it) will remember the first IDBBB, and before that Tropical Jello, both
groups that featured the unique "Sunshine Music" sound that only Tony and
Dan produce. Neither Tony or Dan is old enough to be saying things
like "ten years ago" yet, thank you very much.
The group also features multiple percussionist
Nicole Bartholomew, who's combination drum set allows her to play rhythms
from Brazil, the Caribbean, and the U.S. with equal conviction, and is
the perfect compliment to the groups "beach blues" sound.
Rounding out the group is bassist Ted Swan, who's
rock-solid playing is the glue that holds the whole mess together.
|
If
the Barefoot Band is a frosty pina colada on a secluded beach at sunset,
ISLAND DAN AND THE BEACH BUM BAND is a raucous gulf coast hurricane party!
The sounds of steel drum and powerful Caribbean drum beats set the tone,
the take-no-prisoners electric guitar, thumping bass, and powerhouse vocal
harmonies combine to satisfy the most die hard rock and roll fan. The
songs are a mix of present day hit songs, old time rock and roll, sea songs,
and island stories. Powerful but not dark, aggressive but not angry,
hard-hitting, good-time, country-rock-beach-blues; there is no easy way
to describe music that must be experienced. 
