Rim Shots – An Evening with the Jeff Hamilton Trio
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
7:45pm
Jeff Hamilton, Drummer
Born in Richmond, Indiana, Jeff Hamilton 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. 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 Tormé, 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.
Tamir Hendelman, Pianist
The award-winning jazz pianist has performed with Teddy Edwards, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Harry Allen, Tierney Sutton, Phil Upchurch, Jeff Clayton, Rickey Woodard, Sandra Booker, Barbara Morrison and the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. He has recorded with Oscar Brashear, Bob Sheppard and Jeff Clayton. He can also be heard on Brasil Brazil’s self-titled 1999 release as well as vibraphonist’s Eldad Tarmu’s CD, Aluminum Forest. In demand as both a pianist and arranger, his accomplishments include: receiving awards from ASCAP and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, musical director for Lovewell Institute for Creative Arts and clinician for the Thelonious Monk Institute. In March of 2000, Tamir joined the Jeff Hamilton Trio and in January of 2001, became the pianist with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. He was a recent guest soloist with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.
Christoph Luty, Bassist
Christoph currently lives in the Los Angeles area, and maintains a busy concert schedule, appearing in concert halls, clubs, and festivals throughout the United States, Japan, and Europe. He is presently a member of the Jeff Hamilton Trio, which performs concerts, club dates and workshops nationally and internationally. As the longtime bassist of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra he has collaborated on concerts with artists like Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Diana Krall, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, James Moody and Shirley Horn, to name only a few. He has recorded with the likes of Milt Jackson, John Pizzarelli, Diana Krall and more; and has appeared nationally with artists such as Dena DeRose, Harry Allen, Warren Vache, Curtis Stigers, Bill Watrous, Anthony Wilson, Jeff Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Howlett Smith and many others.
