J Hatch is an American pianist, vocalist and composer/arranger who has been on the professional jazz scene for more than 20 years. He spent his early years on the East Coast of the United States and on the riverboats in New Orleans, honing his skills as a solo pianist, sideman, studio musician and arranger while immersing himself in the traditions of blues and jazz music, before moving to the West Coast and then on to Europe.A versatile musician, Hatch takes pleasure in the traditional jazz standards: "good old straight-ahead tunes you can play on." While Hatch enjoys performing solo, he also plays with quartets and trios. Whether caressing a classic ballad or stomping through a blues tune, Hatch plays and sings with an enthusiasm and intensity that are tangible. And his delight for the music he plays is contagious.