Biography
Hiram Law Bullock, born September 11, 1955, in Osaka, Japan, to African American parents serving in the U.S. military (one source notes a CIA career), moved to Baltimore, Maryland, at age two. He displayed early musical talent, studying classical piano at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and performing publicly at age six. Experimenting with saxophone and bass guitar, he took up electric guitar at 16, later attending the University of Miami where he met influential musicians like Pat Metheny, Steve Morse, Jaco Pastorius, and Will Lee, funding his studies through Florida nightclub gigs.[1][2][3]
Fun Facts
- Bullock often performed barefoot during his time as the guitarist for Late Night with David Letterman's World's Most Dangerous Band.[4]
- He composed and performed the guitar theme for the TV show Taxi ('Angela'), heard weekly by millions.[2]
- His signature guitar was a heavily modified Fender Stratocaster nicknamed 'the bastard,' featuring a '62 sunburst body, '61 rosewood fretboard, two Gibson humbuckers, and custom wiring.[2]
- At military boarding school, he taught himself saxophone in one weekend to avoid carrying a rifle during parades.[3]
Associated Acts
- The World’s Most Dangerous Band - electric guitar (1982–1984)
- The Sunday Night Band - guitar (1988–1989)
- 24th Street Band
- Hiram Bullock Band - eponymous
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Pat Metheny - University of Miami classmate and stylistic influence (Met during studies) [1970s]
- Jaco Pastorius - University of Miami classmate and frequent collaborator influencing fusion style (PDB group sessions) [1970s-1980s]
Key Collaborators
- Will Lee - Bandmate in 24th Street Band and World's Most Dangerous Band (24th Street Band albums (1979-1981), Late Night with David Letterman (1982-1984), First Class Vagabond (1982)) [1970s-1980s]
- David Sanborn - Frequent session collaborator and band cornerstone on 10 albums (Multiple Sanborn albums, Night Music show) [1970s-1990s]
- Paul Shaffer - Leader of World's Most Dangerous Band on Late Night with David Letterman (Late Night with David Letterman house band) [1982-1984]
- Steve Jordan - Bandmate in 24th Street Band and World's Most Dangerous Band (24th Street Band albums (1979-1981), Late Night with David Letterman) [1970s-1980s]
- Phyllis Hyman - Early collaborator who brought him to New York (Hyman's 1977 debut album) [1977]
Connection Network
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Collaborators
Influenced
Mentors
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Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| From All Sides | 1986 | Album |
| Way Kool | 1992 | Album |
| Give It What U Got | 1987-09-22 | Album |
| Delicate Move | 2021-07-30 | Album |
| In New York (Recorded Live November 1985) | 2008-08-01 | Album |
| Too Funky 2 Ignore | 2005-09-26 | Album |
| Try Livin It | 2003-05-26 | Album |
| Late Night Talk | 2011 | Album |
| Hiram Bullock Plays The Music Of Jimi Hendrix | 2009-02-24 | Album |
| Try Livin' It | 2004-06-21 | Album |
| Christmas Revisited (Live) | 2013-11-22 | Album |
| Late Night Talk | 2011 | Album |
| Late Night Talk | 2011 | Album |
| Late Night Talk | 2011 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Window Shoppin' (From All Sides)
- Down the Pipe (Give It What U Got)
- Shut Up (Way Kool)
- Way Kool (Way Kool)
- You Send Me (Give It What U Got)
- Until I Do (From All Sides)
- Cactus (From All Sides)
- Track The Tag (Delicate Move)
- Da Alley (Way Kool)
- Say Goodnight, Gracie (From All Sides)
External Links
Tags: #contemporary-jazz, #jazz, #jazz-fusion
References
Heard on WWOZ
Hiram Bullock has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2025 | 20:38 | Give `Em The Rockfrom Too Funky 2 Ignore | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold |