Hank Van Sickle (born December 31, 1961 in

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsylva ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

) is an

electric Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by ...

and

upright Body relative directions (also known as egocentric coordinates) are geometrical orientations relative to a body such as a human person's. The most common ones are: left and right; forward(s) and backward(s); up and down. They form three pairs ...

bassist, best known for the blues rock band the Bluesbreakers. He is currently living and working in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

Biography

Van Sickle was raised in a family of musicians. His father, Rodney Van Sickle is a classically trained double bassist who graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music and played in the

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra The ''Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra'' (''PSO'') is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District. History The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is an America ...

, the

Cleveland Orchestra The Cleveland Orchestra, based in Cleveland, is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the " Big Five". Founded in 1918 by the pianist and impresario Adella Prentiss Hughes, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Se ...

, and the

Toronto Symphony Orchestra The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1906, the TSO gave regular concerts at Massey Hall until 1982, and since then has performed at Roy Thomson Hall. The TSO also manages the Toronto ...

. His sister Lucy Van Sickle is a singer and blues harmonica player living in

. Hank Van Sickle is best known for blues, blues-rock,

roots rock Roots rock is a genre of rock music that looks back to rock's origins in folk, blues and country music. It is particularly associated with the creation of hybrid subgenres from the later 1960s, including blues rock, country rock, Southern rock, ...

, and

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

; he is also experienced in symphonic,

rockabilly Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and blu ...

, world music,

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

americana Americana may refer to: *Americana (music), a genre or style of American music *Americana (culture), artifacts of the culture of the United States Film, radio and television * ''Americana'' (1992 TV series), a documentary series presented by J ...

, pop,

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fo ...

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while ...

, punk rock, and

experimental An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs when a ...

. He recorded and toured as a member of

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are an English blues rock band led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist John Mayall. While never producing a hit of their own, the band has been influential as an incubator for British rock and blues ...

from mid 2000 through the end of 2008. According to John Mayall, the longest tenure of any bass player with the band. Other credits include Jimmy Smith,

Mick Taylor Michael Kevin Taylor (born 17 January 1949) is an English guitarist, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (1967–1969) and the Rolling Stones (1969–1974). As a member of the Stones, he appeared on: ''Let It Bleed'' ...

Robben Ford Robben Lee Ford (born December 16, 1951) is an American blues, jazz, and rock guitarist. He was a member of the L.A. Express and Yellowjackets and has collaborated with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Larry Carlton, Rick Sprin ...

Rod Piazza Rod Piazza (born December 18, 1947, Riverside, California) is an American blues harmonica player and singer. He has been playing with his band The Mighty Flyers, which he formed with his pianist wife Honey Piazza, since 1980. Their boogie sound ...

and the Mighty Flyers,

Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal (; ) is an Islamic ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan () to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mu ...

Candye Kane Candice Caleb (November 13, 1961 – May 6, 2016), known professionally as Candye Kane, was an American blues singer, entertainer and adult film star. She loved to sing as a young girl and even appeared on "The Gong Show," as a kid. She dreame ...

, Guitar Shorty,

Smokey Wilson Robert Lee "Smokey" Wilson (July 11, 1936 – September 8, 2015) was an American West Coast blues guitarist. He spent most of his career performing West Coast blues and juke joint blues in Los Angeles, California. He recorded a number of albums ...

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...

stars tour,

Denny Freeman Dennis Edward Freeman (August 7, 1944 – April 25, 2021) was an American Texas and electric blues guitarist. Although he is primarily known as a guitar player, Freeman also played piano and electronic organ, both in concert and on various recor ...

Don and Dewey Don and Dewey were an American rock, blues and R&B duo, comprising Don "Sugarcane" Harris (Don Francis Bowman Harris; June 18, 1938 – December 1, 1999) and Dewey Terry (Dewey Steven Terry; July 17, 1937 – May 11, 2003). History Both Harr ...

, Kirk Fletcher,

The Drifters The Drifters are several American doo-wop and R&B/soul vocal groups. They were originally formed as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter, formerly the lead tenor of Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. The second group of Drifters, formed in ...

Rosie Flores Rosie Flores (born September 10, 1950) is an American rockabilly and country music artist. Her music blends rockabilly, honky tonk, jazz, and Western swing along with traditional influences from her Tex-Mex heritage. She currently resides in Au ...

Wanda Jackson Wanda LaVonne Jackson (born October 20, 1937) is an American singer and songwriter. Since the 1950s, she has recorded and released music in the genres of rock, country and gospel. She was among the first women to have a career in rock and roll, ...

James Intveld James Intveld (born November 12, 1959) is an American rockabilly musician, singer, songwriter, performer, actor, and film director from Los Angeles, California, United States. Early career Born in the Netherlands, Intveld's parents moved to C ...

, Billy Swan,

Yma Sumac Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo (September 13, 1922 (birth certificate) or September 10, 1922 (later documents) – November 1, 2008), known professionally as Yma Sumac (), was a Peruvian-American coloratura soprano. She was one ...

Judy Tenuta Judy Lynn Tenuta (November 7, 1949 – October 6, 2022) was an American comedian, actress, and comedy musician. She was known for her whimsical and brash persona of "The Love Goddess", mixing insult comedy, observational humor, self-promotion, ...

Ray Campi Raymond Charles Campi (April 20, 1934 – March 11, 2021) was an American singer and musician, nicknamed "The King of Rockabilly". He first recorded in the mid-1950s. Campi's trademark was his white double bass, which he often jumped on top of an ...

Floyd Sneed Floyd Chester Sneed (November 22, 1942 – January 27, 2023) was a Canadian drummer, best known for his work with the band Three Dog Night. Born on November 22, 1942, in Calgary, Sneed grew up in a musical family (his parents were both musicia ...

, Beach Cities Symphony, and Friends of Dean Martinez.

Discography

With John Mayall

*''In the Palace of the King'' (

Eagle Records Eagle Records is a British record label, a division of Eagle Rock Entertainment, itself a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. In the United Kingdom, the label's managing director is Lindsay Brown, former manager of Van Halen, while in the Un ...

) *''Essentially John Mayall'' (Eagle Records) *''Road Dogs'' (Eagle Records) *''70th Birthday Concert featuring Eric Clapton,

Chris Barber Donald Christopher "Chris" Barber OBE (17 April 1930 – 2 March 2021) was an English jazz musician, best known as a bandleader and trombonist. He helped many musicians with their careers and had a UK top twenty trad jazz hit with "Petite Fle ...

and

'' (Eagle Records) (DVD and CD) *''Stories'' (Eagle Records) *''Cookin' Down Under'' (Private Stash Records) (DVD) *''No Days Off'' (Private Stash Records)

As collaborator

;With Friends of Dean Martinez: *''Retrograde'' ( Sub Pop). *''Keep Left, Vol. 1: A Benefit for David Barsamain and Alternative Radio'' (Go Big) ;With Skip Heller: *''Couch, Los Angeles (Couch 2.0)'' (

Jewbilee "Jewbilee" is the ninth-aired and produced episode of the South Park (season 3), third season of the animated television series ''South Park''. The 40th overall episode and the final part of The Meteor Shower Trilogy, the episode describes what hap ...

) *''Career Suicide: The Essential Skip Heller'' (Dionysus) *''Couch, Los Angeles'' (Mouthpiece/

Rounder Rounder(s) or The Rounder(s) may refer to: Film and television * ''The Rounders'' (1914 film), a comedy short * ''The Rounder'' (1930 film), a comedy short * ''The Rounders'' (1965 film), a western comedy * ''Rounders'' (film), a 1998 poker f ...

) *''St. Christopher's Arms'' (Mouthpiece/Rounder) ;With Steamin' Stan Ruffo and the Instigators: *''Jump On This!'' (Sho' Nuff) *''Blues On Tap, Volume One'' (Sho' Nuff) *''Santa Cruz Blues'' (Bluestraxx) *''More Desaster City Blues'' (Taxim) ;With others: *

and the Mighty Flyers: ''Almighty Dollar'' (Delta Groove) *

Todd Rundgren Todd Harry Rundgren (born June 22, 1948) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, multimedia artist, sound engineer and record producer who has performed a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the band Ut ...

: ''Todd Rundgren Reconstructed'' (Cleopatra) * Wyland Blues Planet Band: ''Blues Planet I'' (Wyland Records) *Wyland Blues Planet Band: ''Blues Planet II'' (Wyland Records) *Ian Whitcomb and Skip Heller: ''Barenstark Bear Essentials'' (Bear Family) *Ian Whitcomb: ''Songs Without Words'' (Rivermont) *

Barry Levenson Barry Levenson is an American electric blues and Chicago blues guitarist, songwriter, singer, and record producer. In a varied career, Levenson has worked as a sideman to numerous blues musicians, toiled as a session musician, been an in-house ...

: ''The Late Show'' (Rip Cat Records) *Barry Levenson: ''The Visit'' (Rip Cat Records) *Barry Levenson featuring

Johnny Dyer Johnny Dyer (December 7, 1938 – November 11, 2014) was an American electric blues harmonica, harmonicist and singer. He made numerous sound recording and reproduction, recordings, both as a solo performer and with other musicians. He was nomin ...

: ''Hard Times Won'' ( Storyville) *The Blue Dahlia: ''A Tribute to Frank Sinatra'' ( Cleopatra) *Sugaray: ''Blind Alley'' (www.sugarayblues.com) *Lisa Finnie: ''Lisa Finnie'' (Chirp) *Dennis Herrera Blues Band: ''Blues Well Done!'' (JulDen) *Joe Gorfinkle: ''Take a Chance'' (Self Produced) *Rocky Jackson: ''Testify!'' (High Life Records) *Bob Pacemaker Newham and the Blue Vanguards: ''So Cal Barbeque'' (Self Produced) *Gedina Jean Bergstrom: ''Introducing Gedina Jean'' (Self Produced) *Indigo Triangle: ''Code of the Heart'' (Mountain Castle Music) *Claudia Russell: ''Ready to Receive'' (Radio Rhythm Records) *Anny Celsi: ''Little Black Dress & Other Stories'' (Ragazza Music) *Rip Masters: ''Big Red '57'' (Rattler) *Rudy Rotta: ''Some of My Favorite Songs For...'' (Sling Slang) *Billy Sheets: ''Please Tell Me Why'' (Big Clock) *Dennis Spencer: ''They Call Me The Tall Guy'' (Tall Guy Music) *Farina: ''Shots in the Dark'' (

Del-Fi Del-Fi Records was an American record label based in Hollywood, California and owned by Bob Keane. The label's first single released was "Caravan" by Henri Rose released in 1958, but the label was most famous for signing Ritchie Valens. Valens' fi ...

) *Edwing Sankey: ''Trapdoor'' (Positone)

References

External links

Hank Van Sickle websiteHank Van Sickle Pittsburgh Music History
{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Sickle, Hank Guitarists from California American blues guitarists American male guitarists American rhythm and blues musicians John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers members American jazz bass guitarists American male bass guitarists American jazz double-bassists American session musicians American rock bass guitarists American rock double-bassists Male double-bassists 1961 births Living people American alternative rock musicians Rounder Records artists Sub Pop artists Alternative rock bass guitarists 20th-century American guitarists 21st-century double-bassists American male jazz musicians Eagle Records artists