Ernie Hammes studied classical music in Luxembourg as well as in France before he joined the Luxembourg Army Concert Band in 1987 to become their principal trumpet.

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In 1991 he started his jazz studies with Ack VAN ROOYEN at the Conservatory of THE HAGUE, (NL). In 1997, he went to New York City to study at the MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC with Lew SOLOFF.

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Ernie recorded 7 cd’s under his own name and he can be heard as a sideman on over 40 recordings in various music genres. His first cd, “FESTIVAL”, recorded in 1997 , features classical trumpet works with organ and chamber orchestra.

“STEPWISE”, released three years later, shows Ernies’ jazz skills together with his own group and guest musicians Lew SOLOFF and Bob MINTZER. Lew is also the producer of this album.

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The third cd, “NIGHT LIGHTS”, recorded live and also featuring his band, is released in February 2005.

In December 2005, “TRUMPET CLASSICS”, a recording with trumpet, organ and brass quintet is released.

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You can also hear Ernie on the new Maynard FERGUSON album, “MF6, live at Ronnie’s”, released early 2006. He is also featured on the tribute to Maynard FERGUSON dvd together with trumpeters Eric MYASHIRO, Andrea TOFANELLI, Wayne BERGERON, Carl FISCHER and Roger INGRAM.

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“RETOUR A GOREE” , a documentary/musical dvd about jazz and slavery, released in june 2007, features Ernie amongst African singer Youssou N’DOUR.

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In 2007, Ernie released the cd “FREED & FEIER” which includes a musical suite commissioned by the city of Luxembourg for the fireworks for the Luxembourg National day 2007.

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“SANFRANCHA” is released in march 2011 and features his band “CUBOP” & many international guest artists. The original compositions are strongly latin-influenced.

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In the fall of 2017 Ernie releases “EVOLUTION” which features his own 5-tet with guests Philip CAHTERINE on guitar and Wayne ESCOFFERY on tenor-sax. Also for this cd, he wrote arrangments for a 10-piece string section.

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Ernie performed as sideman or soloist in over 35 countries worldwide with a.o. Paul ANKA, Youssou N’DOUR, The NEW YORK VOICES, Chaka KHAN, The SUPREMES, Diane SCHUUR, Maynard FERGUSON & Big Bop Nouveau, the Dizzy GILLESPIE ALL STAR BIG BAND, the Duke ELLINGTON Orchestra, Carla BLEY & Steve SWALLOW Big Band, BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, Michel CAMILO, Philip CATHERINE, Slide HAMPTON, James MOODY, Jon FADDIS, Randy BRECKER, Lew SOLOFF , Claudio RODITI, Bob MINTZER, Dave LIEBMAN, Idris MUHAMMAD, Amina FIGAROVA, Claude BOLLING, BLECHSCHADEN, MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA...as well as with the BBC WALES SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA , ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE LUXEMBOURG, ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE NANCY, KOSICE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, LATVIAN PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA...

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Also in 1997, Ernie received the “DOWNBEAT Student Music Award” for jazz ensemble and big band, while studying at the MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC with Lew SOLOFF.

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In 2008 nominee for the Eruodjango awards in the category “Masters of Jazz”.