STAFF

Michael Ward

Michael Ward is the owner of Hyde Street Studios. He is also a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, living and working in the San Francisco Bay area since 1974. He has fronted many bands in that time which have been built around his unique singing, composition and lyrical approach. The music blends elements of R&B, country and world music into an insistently rhythmic stew with a distinctive narrative voice. At various times his working group has featured members of touring bands such as Frank Zappa, Ambrosia, Etta James, George Clinton, Bruce Hornsby and Steve Miller.


Michael's production credits include projects with: the BaAka pygmies from the Ituri Forest of Africa (on their first trip to America, recording compositions to be synchronized with a performance by the Lines Ballet), Pharaoh Sanders, Zakir Hussein, The Sacred Text Ensemble and Overtone Theater, rock bands The Potato Eaters and The Earthlings, and composers Beth Custer, Joshua Brody and O'Lan Jones as well as producing and arranging all of his own tracks.

Jack Kertzman

Jack Kertzman is an audio engineer, musician, and studio director dedicated to helping artists capture timeless performances with intention and care. A lifelong believer in great rooms and great gear, he has a particular affection for Neve consoles, tube microphones, tape delays, and echo chambers, and for the human moments that happen around them.

Since joining Hyde Street Studios in 2012, Jack has played a key role in shaping the studio’s modern chapter while honoring its historic legacy. He began as an engineer, working across hundreds of recording and mixing sessions, before stepping into studio management in 2017. Beyond the studio, Jack is deeply invested in mentorship, education, and the broader music community. He has taught audio recording courses at SAE Institute, produced concerts and large-scale events, and serves as a member of the Audio Engineering Society (SF Chapter) and The Recording Academy. 
​
Jack holds a degree in Music Industry & Recording Technology from the University of Wisconsin, along with training in electronics, project management, and audio instruction. Whether managing complex productions or quietly helping an artist find the right sound, he is known for cultivating a collaborative, grounded, and creatively charged environment; one where great records can happen.

View engineers / Community