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Jeff Hamilton interview on his history and jazz music.
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Originality is what versatile drummer Jeff Hamilton brings to the groups he performs with and is one of the reasons why he is constantly in demand, whether he is recording or performing with his trio,
Oscar Peterson,
Ray Brown, the
Clayton Brothers or co-leading the
Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
Jeff's recording,
It's Hamilton Time (
Lake Street Records), received enormous airplay while reaching #5 on the Gavin national jazz radio chart. His trio's second release, Jeff Hamilton Trio-LIVE! (MONS) was nominated by critics for best jazz recording in
Germany in
1997. The trio's second MONS release is entitled,
Hands On . Hamilton House-Live at Steamers (MONS) is the trio's
2000 release. As well as recording and performing throughout the world, Jeff also teaches, arranges and composes.
Jeff has received rave reviews for his dynamic drumming.
David Badham of
Jazz Journal International stated in his review of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra's release,
Heart and Soul (
Capri): "This is one of the finest modern big band issues
I've heard
...This is undoubtedly due to Jeff Hamilton, a most driving and technically accomplished drummer."" Jeff is equally at home in smaller formats. He is an integral part of the Clayton Brothers and
Herb Wong stated in his review of their release,
The Music (Capri), in JazzTimes: "
Always evident is...the colorful work of the rhythm section featuring...the sensitivity and sizzle of Jeff Hamilton's seasoned drums."
Leonard Feather of the
Los Angeles Times described Jeff and his work with Oscar Peterson as "the Los Angeles-based drummer whose intelligent backing and spirited solo work met Peterson's customarily high standards..." In his review of he Ray Brown
Trio in the
Denver Post,
Jeff Bradley stated that Jeff "brought the crowd to its feet with his amazing hand-drumming, soft and understated yet as riveting and rewarding as any drum solo you've heard."
Born in
Richmond, Indiana, Jeff grew up listening to his parent's big band records and at the age of eight began playing drums along with Oscar Peterson records. He attended
Indiana University and later studied with
John Avon Ohlen. Jeff was influenced by
Gene Krupa,
Buddy Rich,
Mel Lewis, "
Philly" Joe Jones and
Shelly Manne. In
1974, he got his first big break playing with the New
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He then joined
Lionel Hampton's
Band until
1975 when he, along with bassist
John Clayton, became members of the
Monty Alexander Trio. He attained a childhood goal in
1977 when he joined
Woody Herman and the
Thundering Herd, with whom he made several recordings. In 1978, he was offered the position vacated by Shelly Manne in the
L.A.4 with Ray Brown,
Bud Shank and
Laurindo Almeida. He recorded six records with the L.A.4, some of which featured his own arrangements and compositions. From
1983 to
1987, Jeff performed with
Ella Fitzgerald, the
Count Basie Orchestra,
Rosemary Clooney and Monty Alexander
. Jeff began his association with the Ray Brown Trio in
1988 and left in
March 1995 to concentrate on his own trio. From 1999-2001, the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra was named the in-residence ensemble for the
Hollywood Bowl Jazz series. The
Los Angeles Jazz
Society named Jeff and his musical partner, John Clayton, musicians of the year for
2006. A banquet in their honor was held at the
Los Angeles Marriott Downtown Hotel. Jeff is currently touring with his own Trio, the
Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and
Diana Krall.
In addition to his many recordings with Ray Brown, Jeff has been on nearly
200 recordings with artists such as
Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney,
Barbara Streisand,
Mel Torme,
John Pizzarelli,
Benny Carter,
Lalo Schifrin,
George Shearing,
Dr. John,
Clark Terry,
Gene Harris,
Toshiko Akioshi,
Scott Hamilton,
Harry "Sweets" Edison,
Keely Smith,
Bill Holman,
Herb Ellis,
Barney Kessel and
Mark Murphy. Jeff is a frequent guest of the
WDR Big Band in
Cologne, Germany. He also appeared in
Natalie Cole's
Great Performances PBS special,
Unforgettable and an Oscar Peterson documentary,
Life In
The Key Of
Oscar.
- published: 06 Oct 2013
- views: 5218