Jack Hammer was born and raised on the Central Coast where he studied jazz improvisation with Charlie Shoemake through the Central Coast Jazz institute, and attended Cuesta College. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in saxophone performance. He studied jazz saxophone with Rob Lockart at Cal State University, Northridge, and classical saxophone with Ray Smith at Brigham Young University. He returned to the Central Coast in 2021 to teach band and music at Atascadero Middle School and has enjoyed reconnecting with local musicians and performing with a number of local groups including the Cuesta Night Band, Royal Garden Swing, The Starlight Dream Band, the Brass Factory, Brass Mash, the SLO Symphony and the SLO Winds.