Richard Hammond is a Kiwi electric and acoustic bassist, composer, producer and author based in New York City. Born in Dargaville, New Zealand Richard moved to Auckland at age 18 and quickly became one of the most in-demand bassists, performing and recording with New Zealand's top artists, including Nathan Haines, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Moana & the Moahunters, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Tim Finn.

Moving to Boston at age 22, Richard
earned a Bachelor's Degree in Performance on Acoustic Bass, and went on to attend Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Master's Degree in Jazz/Commercial music. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in both degrees, along with other honors.


Richard has toured as bassist with Joan Osborne, Erasure, Grammy nominated band The East Village Opera Company Angelique Kidjo, Jonatha Brooke, Dar Williams, Chiara Civello, Shannon McNally and Jim Campilongo. He maintains a busy recording schedule, working with artists such as Raul Midon, Nellie MacKay, Erasure and Marion Raven, and legendary producers Arif Mardin, Neil Dorfsman and Kevin Killen. He has also recorded on several major motion picture soundtracks, including Rumor Has It (with Nellie McKay), Disney's 'Enchanted' (on the song 'That's How You Know'- nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy), and Ridley Scott's 'American Gangster'. He has also worked with legendary film composer Danny Elfman.

Equally versatile on acoustic and electric bass, and across a broad range of musical genres, he has performed with an array of artists including Carlos Santana, Gavin DeGraw, Danny Kortchmar, Bob Moses, Louis Bellson, Luciana Souza and Mose Allison.