JAMES HAMMEL TAKES "ONE STEP FORWARD"
Singer/songwriter/guitarist James Hammel brings his show "One Step
Forward" to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440
-
http://www.metropolitanroom.com/
) on Saturday, January 27th at 5:00 pm. The show weaves together his
two lives: as both long-time corporate CEO and performer, through
an eclectic mix of originals, Cole Porter, Bobby Troup, Jimmy McHugh,
Sammy Fain, Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen, Don Raye, Johnny Mercer,
Barry Manilow, Freddie Mercury and more. With some noted jazz players
comprising his four-piece band led by Daryl Kojak, James will debut
the title song One Step Forward in this show.
James Hammel has had a passion for singing and playing
guitar that spans decades. It was in Connecticut that James met
one-time jazz great Sal Salvador, who introduced him to jazz guitar.
Sal ultimately challenged James that he belonged in the world of
music, and predicted that one day he would be compelled to embrace
it completely. For the better part of his adult life, he considered
those words to be wishful thinking and his music remained on the
sidelines. Instead he took a 20-year detour building and leading
large companies. Along the way he wrote songs about his life experiences
that are part of his repertoire today. He also continued his focus
on standards and jazz songs creating his own fresh and eclectic
arrangements of these songs.
In 2001, he found himself positioned at the top of
the corporate ladder looking off the edge. However, 9/11 was to
be catalyst for his personal change, as it was for a lot of people.
He lost his office overlooking the Trade Towers and two-thirds of
his customers overnight. That fateful morning he was actually landing
in Newark at the same moment the towers were hit. His flight was
immediately rerouted to Buffalo and he had to drive back to New
York. It was during that 9 hour drive that James remembered what
Sal Salvador told him, which he never believed as a CEO: that he
would go back to music, and Sal was right. James knew that when
his necktie started feeling like a noose, it was time to rethink
things.
Never having forgotten Sal's words, he took a dramatic
and courageous leap back into songwriting, arranging and performing.
This has lifted James to an unprecedented new joy and affirmation
that he is fulfilling his destiny.
James lives in New York City and performs at clubs
and private events, and has recorded his first full-length CD, Do
It All Over Again.
There is a $20 cover plus a two beverage minimum.
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