The first time I heard Omar Hakim was on the Burning for Buddy tribute. I was 15 then, and “Slow Funk” remains one of my favorite tracks on that album. Beyond technical ability and “groove”, there’s just a certain energy to Omar’s playing that I’ve always really liked.
These aren’t necessarily the best clips of Omar out there, just a few I hadn’t seen before and found enjoyable.
With Sting:
Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Stanley Clarke, and Omar Hakim with “Footprints” in 1991, Montreax:
Omar Hakim in Weather Report – “Where the Moon Goes”
Omar Hakim with Bobby McFerrin (too bad Richard Bona doesn’t get in on the action in this clip):