Airman First Class Kai Logan Hammond is a saxophonist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. He also serves as a member of the unit’s production team. Originally from Byron Center, MI, his Air Force career began in 2021.
A1C Hammond is a 2018 graduate of Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies. In 2020, he received a Master of Music in jazz studies from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fl. His teachers include Marc Townley, Diego Rivera, Rodney Whitaker, Etienne Charles, Michael Dease, Xavier Davis, Randy Napoleon, Dr. David Detweiler, Leon Anderson, Bill Peterson, Dr. Kevin Jones, Scotty Barnhart, and Rodney Jordan. During his studies, A1C Hammond performed and toured with many internationally renowned jazz artists such as Kenny Barron, Anat Cohen, Rufus Reid, Conrad Herwig, Russell Malone, Harvey Mason, and Michael Mossman. A1C Hammond was a sideman in jazz groups such as the Leon Anderson quartet, Scotty Barnhart Quintet, and the Bob Dogan Quartet. A1C Hammond was also the leader of his own jazz quartet in Florida called the Kai Hammond Quartet. A1C Hammond was also a saxophonist for the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and he recorded with Fred Wesley and George Clinton.
EDUCATION
2018 – Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Michigan State University
2020 – Masters of Music in Jazz Studies, Florida State University
December 2021 – Basic Military Training
ASSIGNMENTS
December 2021 – present, 3N151B, Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA/US
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- National Defense Service Award
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
- AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class – October 2021
(Current as of April 2023)