Recorded live at the Crocker Art Museum by Chris Woodhouse on Thursday, October 3, 2013.
Music inspired by the works of Kara Walker.
"Hammond's opus is a remarkable effort in its own right...It'll remind you why you started loving Jazz in the first place."
-Michael Roberts, Jazziz
"With a dozen albums under his belt, the guitarist has exponentially pushed the envelope, largely with great success....Humanity Suite is one continuous, extended work that translates Hammond's emotive sensibilities into a long-form musical statement, providing stimulus for one's nerve-center."
-Glenn Astarita, -
AllAboutJazz.com
"...his spindly plucks slice through the cascading polyphony to add triumphant notes to the exposition."
-Ken Waxman, NYC Jazz Record
"It's a long, kaleidoscopic ride, with enough interesting developments along the way to make that three-quarters of a hour go by quickly...the music is a fine work of art on its' own."
-S. Victor Aaron, Something Else Reviews (5/2014)
"Hammond’s guitar and Childers’ horn develop a mood that is the highlight before the percolating rhythm catapults into a cataclysmic avalanche of a close. Open nerved and white knuckling, it must have been a sight to see!"
-George Harris, Jazzweekly
"With Humanity Suite, guitarist Ross Hammond has created an extended piece that’s certainly free and aggressive but exudes a sense of serenity. It’s a free-jazz statement based on rhythms that become the foundations for individual solos — an uncluttered, free sound with lots of chances for soloists to soar."
-Craig Matsumoto,
wedgeradio.wordpress.com
"With Humanity Suite, Hammond shows that he is adept at writing long pieces that include space for each musician’s individuality to shine through. Another compelling effort."
-Mike Barella, Avant Music News (5/2014)
"Moving seamlessly from compositional sketches to free group improvisation, Humanity Suiteis an exciting musical development in Hammond's discography. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!"
-Paul Acquaro,
Freejazzblog.org
"Over the years, Hammond has earned the respect of talented peers, and they’ve now joined him on Humanity Suite to reward him with his finest album to date."
-Blake Gillespie, Sacramento News and Review
"Ross Hammond's Humanity Suite - A monumental stew of improvisation and emotional force from guitarist Hammond and band..."
-George Grella,
brooklynrail.org (5/2014)