“Lively... Solid... A complete new acoustic package!”
Paul Howard (Guitar), Tom Hagymasi (Fiddle/Mandolin), Tido Holtkamp (Drums), Jim Stevens (Electric Bass)
Last Fair Deal, veterans of the Connecticut music scene since the 70’s, continue to redraw the map of American roots music with fluid energy and creativity. The latest edition of the band is a quartet featuring guitarist Paul Howard, fiddler/mandolinist Tom Hagymasi, bassist Jim Stevens and drummer Tido Holtkamp. These four musicians and vocalists continue to fan the flame that keeps this band relevant and entertaining. They're enjoyment of performing together is palpable and captivating! Their live performances, with stellar vocals and unique acoustic synergy draw from an eclectic repertoire of Americana, swing, bluegrass and acoustic rock music. The band's shows feature originals from their current and previous three albums and they also put their own spin on tunes by John Hiatt, The Band, Bob Dylan, Dan Hicks, Lennon/ McCartney & Smokey Robinson.
Paul Howard
Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica
Paul Howard is a Connecticut-born guitarist, singer and songwriter who has been working as a professional musician and teacher for all of his adult life. Paul operates Paul Howard’s Valley Music School in Avon, CT and was also a founding faculty member and author with the prestigious National Guitar Workshop. He has five nationally published guitar instruction books under his belt as well as instructional videos.
Paul's musical adventures were launched by the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964. After a few years of high school rock & roll, the 70's found him discovering acoustic music via the music of Jonathan Edwards and Dan Hicks. This led to the pursuit of other acoustic musicians who played instruments other than guitar. Of course the journey brought him to bluegrass music and a fortuitous ad from Last Fair Deal seeking a lead singer and guitar player.
Paul joined Last Fair Deal in 1975 and solidified the progressive direction the band was beginning to take by infusing his interest in swing and roots/rock into the country and bluegrass style the band had been perfecting. He also carried the torch during the brief time off that Phil and then Tom took from the band in the early 80's. During the band's hiatus, which began in 1992, he also continued to play with Tom and bass player Jim Stevens in The Paul Howard Group.
During the 90's Paul spent most of his performing time working with Grammy-winning resophonic guitarist Stacy Phillips. Paul and Stacy have toured in Europe, the west coast of the U.S. and have recorded two CDs together.
Paul has contributed many of the original songs that the group performs, does a good share of the lead singing and has been known to occasionally strap on the harmonica rack.
"Paul Howard's playing is versatile, tasteful and thoroughly listenable."
- Bluegrass Unlimited
Tom Hagymasi
Fiddle, Accordion, Bouzouki, Vocals
Connecticut native Tom Hagymasi is a multi-instrumentalist and singer songwriter whose musical journey includes old timey, jug band, swing, folk, bluegrass, country and rock genres. In a career spanning over fifty years he has performed at major festivals including the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, the Greyfox Bluegrass Festival and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas; world class venues such as the Ives Center for the Performing Arts, the Levitt Pavilion and Infinity Music Hall; and iconic folk clubs including the Gaslight and the Bitter End. His recording career began in 1969 with the infamous Golden Nectar Band. Since then he has done numerous studio sessions, most recently with the Kenn Morr Band with whom he currently tours.
Tido Holtkamp
Drums, Vocals
Tido Holtkamp is a versatile and dynamic musician with professional experience in jazz, latin, R&B, rock, and Americana styles. He brings a creative, original, and soulful approach to the music, and has built a reputation as a musical drummer. Tido plays regularly with the Ricky Alfonso Group, the Chris Casey Trio, the Kenn Morr Band, Last Fair Deal, and the Village Jammers. In addition, he leads his own groups Caravan and Swing Station Jazz. Tido freelances regularly with a wide variety of musicians and is also a member of the St. Paul & St. James Jazz Collective, an ensemble which combines jazz, gospel, and New Orleans styles with traditional religious music.
Tido teaches privately in the Greater Hartford area and also offers clinics in jazz drumming and drumming health. He is also a drum teacher and guest clinician with Paul Howard’s Valley Music School and a member of the Sabian Educators Network.
Tido is the author of the book Drumming In Harmony. In addition, he regularly writes articles on music, drumming, and teaching.
Jim Stevens
Electric Bass, Vocals
Born in Dallas Texas, I started my lengthy musical career as conductor of my Kindergarten band..Seriously..Why would I lie??? Realizing my "gift" at such an early age, in 3rd grade I was rocketed to first chair (ok..desk) "flute-o-phone " which was actually a cheap plastic recorder. After almost mastering at least 3 songs for very forgiving parents, I switched my attention to the stimulating field of percussion and drumming where I played in my high school band.
At the "road hardened" age of 15, I bought my first bass, a classic Fender ''P" bass and was recruited into my high school garage rock band... immediately propelling me from "band nerd" to one of the dreaded "populars". Life was good !!
As the open road called me during my college days, I picked up an acoustic six string guitar and hitch-hiked, with friends, the then friendly roads of New England literally singing for my supper only to eventually return home to my first love..bass playing. At this point in time, the 70's folk-country-bluegrass fusion era was in full swing and I helped form the group "Just Pickin' " who continually "rocked the house" for throngs of enthusiastic, shoulder to shoulder, floor stomping free form dancers...interesting to note… often playing venues opposite our rival band Last Fair Deal...Life was good !! It was during one of these chance performance meetings that I was asked by Paul, Tom, and Phil to be their bass player which was a landmark decision for me both then, as well as now.
When the 80's arrived, I was a member of the jazz fusion group called "Rising Edge" who really pushed my parameters of musical understanding and achievement.
When the 90's hit with all it's line dancing splendor, LFD violinist Tom recruited me into his country band "Rodeo Drive". Although short lived, we couldn't help but love the almost endless lines of short skirts and cowboy boots..YEE_HAW..
My most memorable bass playing influences from the past have been: Abraham Laboriel (Jazz Crusaders) for his full, rich bass tone.Rocco Prestia (Tower of Power) for his amazingly solid, tireless right hand technique. Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report) for his flawless left hand interpretative moves and of course his signature harmonics (miss you Jaco).
OK, the stage manager says this is running long so here's my life in 2 simple sentences: I mastered conducting, the woodwinds, the drums, the guitar and the bass..(some more than others obviously). I have worn combat boots, cowboy boots, balloon pants, plaid flannel, cowboy hats and confessing here, still have the remnants of my powder blue, polyester jump suit with the big collars in my closet. Sometimes a bass player does what a bass player has to do..!!
In loving memory of our band-mate and dear friend
Phil Zimmerman 3/4/1944 - 4/16/2021
Tom & I would like to thank all the folks, fans and friends who have reached out with condolences , thoughts and prayers at the passing of our dear friend, brother and band-mate, Phil Zimmerman. Phil died on April 16 after a hard fought battle with brain cancer. Phil will be sorely missed by all in the music community. RIP Phil, 3/4/1944 - 4/16/2021.
Thanks, Paul Howard & Tom Hagymasi
Phil Zimmerman
Mandolin, Banjo, Vocals
Phil Zimmerman has been a performing musician since high school. Born in Indiana, he grew up in Nebraska and Illinois listening to the WSM Farm Show as a toddler; the WLS Barn Dance in elementary school; and the late-night clear-channel beacons of hillbilly music, KXEL, WWVA and WCKY in high school. Television cowboys Uncle Tom Chase in Omaha, and singer/songwriter Bob Atcher in Chicago, as well as the “singing cowboy” movies of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers all contributed to his lifelong dedication to picking and singing.
In high school he learned to play guitar and banjo, and attended concert performances of Peggy, Pete, and Mike Seeger, Doc Watson, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, The New Lost City Ramblers, and other pivotal performers of the folk revival. He played solo coffeehouse gigs in college to earn spending money and work on his instrumental and vocal chops.
Phil was a founding member of Last Fair Deal, Connecticut’s ground-breaking eclectic string band. For ten years, Phil played mandolin and sang lead with Connecticut’s premier traditional Bluegrass band, Traver Hollow. He also performed Old-Time music in Heroes of Tradition, and straight-ahead Bluegrass with Stacy Phillips and His Bluegrass Characters. Phil was President and Music Director of both Guitar & Mandolin Camp North and Banjo Camp North, and has taught mandolin and banjo workshops at the Joe Val Festival every year since 2006.