Artist:Jan Hammer
Song:Miami Vice Theme
Album:Escape from Television
I became familiar with keyboardist Jan Hammer when he was a member of John McLaughlin's fusion band The Mahavishnu Orchestra. When that band ended, Hammer got into film and TV music and he topped the charts with the 1985 single Theme from Miami Vice. That show was really hot at the time. Hammer was born Apr. 17, 1948 in Prague, Czech Republic. His mother was a singer and his father was a doctor who played vibraphone in clubs when he was in school. Hammer started playing piano at age four. He was considering following his dad into medicine. But a family friend convinced him to develop his musical talent. He led a jazz trio while in high school and they toured eastern Europe. He studied at the Prague Academy of Musical Arts. Hammer's influences include Bill Evans, Paul Bley and Larry Young. After the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia, Hammer received a scholarship from Berklee School of Music in Boston and he moved to the US. After graduating, Hammer toured with singer Sarah Vaughan. Then he joined John McLaughlin's jazz fusion band The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Hammer was recommended to McLaughlin by Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous of the fusion band Weather Report. Hammer was an early adopter of the Moog Synthesizer, especially the Minimoog. Drummer Billy Cobham was also a member of The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Hammer played on Cobham's 1973 debut album Spectrum. He also played on albums by guitarist John Abercrombie and drummer Jack DeJohnette. And he recorded his 1975 debut album The First Seven Days for Columbia's Nemperor label. He appeared on guitarist Jeff Back's 1976 album Wired and then toured with him. And he led his own touring band. He continued to record and tour with Beck until in 1984, the producers of the TV series Miami Vice hired Hammer to compose the music for the show. Of course Miami Vice was a big hit and MCA Records released a soundtrack album. Not only did the album top the charts but so did the single Miami Vice Theme. Hammer won two Grammy awards and he was nominated for two Emmys. This comp CD is available as a budget CD. Hammer left Miami Vice and returned to touring and recording with drummer Tony Williams in 1990. Hammer has also continued to score films and TV shows including Tales from the Crypt. He also continued to record with Jeff Beck. Hammer still records on his own label, most recently in 2022. He seems to be semi retired at the moment. But it wouldn't surprise me if Jeff Beck convinced him to tour again. Here's the video for Miami Vice Theme by Jan Hammer.
Still a great, kickass piece of music after all these years. It's too bad we don't produce shows as good as Miami Vice these days, Frank. Thank you so much for the bio and the music. David.
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