Professional Testimonial: Mike Hallam
"I think Storm Trumpets and other instruments in the Storm range represent excellent value for money and first class build quality for student and intermediate players. Don't risk buying a cheap, poor quality, unheard of brand on the Internet when you know you can buy a good quality affordable instrument from Storm."
Mike is one of Australia's premier trumpet players, boasting a distinguished career in Australia as well as overseas.
Mike's first Australian band was the Harbour City Jazz Band, which he co-founded in 1968. Next Mike joined the celebrated Ray Price Quintet with Col Nolan, Laurie Bennet and Paul Simpson, staying for 4 years.
When the quintet's commitments progressed to full time touring Mike decided to leave, forming a new band consisting mostly of ex Ray Price musicians and calling themselves the Ex-Ray Jazz Band. This band worked around for some time before adding Rex Gazey on tuba to become the Charlestown Strutters, taking their name from their permanent gig at Chatswood's Charles Hotel.
After about 3 years with the Strutters it was time to strike out on his own again so Mike put together another new band, this time a Chicago style band called the Mike Hallam Hot Six. The Hot Six took up residency in the famous Sydney Hilton Marble Bar on Saturday nights for 9 years, as well as Red Ned's in Chatswood for 7 years and many other gigs. The Hot Six was Mike's most successful band up to that time, and this band still works today whenever an opportunity arises.
When the Marble Bar folded Mike began working with jazz show band Mister Crow. Numerous overseas trips followed, playing at jazz festivals in Canada, USA, Wales, Scotland, England, Germany, New Zealand, and of course many in Australia. Mister Crow also performed many set shows throughout the club circuit.
From 1992 to 2000, Mike was working tours and gigs in Queensland, Melbourne, country Victoria and Thailand with Alan Leake's Jazz Repertory Company, and has also made visits to New Zealand playing at jazz festivals in Hamilton and Rotorua. Another highlight was an extensive tour of Germany with Peter Strohkorb's band Hot Gossip, and Mike also worked occasionally with the Graeme Bell All-Stars at Australian jazz festivals such as Kiama, Canberra and Wagga. Since 1998 Mike has been working with the Sydney Zenith Jazz Band including festivals in Edinburgh, Wales, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Germany and Montreux Switzerland, touring every year. In 2004 the Zenith (with Mike) toured California and Montana USA, and in July and August this year they toured again, playing in Edinburgh and around Scotland.
Mike has also toured with the American band, The 10th Avenue Jazz Band, in the UK and twice in Australia.
