Jeff Hamilton (drummer)

Last updated
Jeff Hamilton
Jeff-hamilton DSC01068.jpg
2018 in Denmark
Background information
Born (1953-08-04) August 4, 1953 (age 69)
Richmond, Indiana, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1975–present
Labels Mons (de), Azica, Capri
Website www.hamiltonjazz.com

Jeff Hamilton (born August 4, 1953) [1] is an American jazz drummer and co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. A former member of the L.A. Four, Hamilton has played with jazz pianist Monty Alexander, bandleader Woody Herman, and singer Rosemary Clooney, and has worked extensively with singer Diana Krall.

Contents

Early life

Hamilton was born in Richmond, Indiana, United States,. [1] From a young age he took piano lessons but was inspired at age five by Gene Krupa [2] and then began drumming at the age of eight. [3] At fifteen, he was invited to play with the Earlham College jazz ensemble. [2] He later attended Indiana University while studying under the tutelage of John Von Ohlen. [2] [1]

Music career

Starting in 1975, he was a member of Monty Alexander's Trio, then Woody Herman's Orchestra from 1977 until 1978. [1] He was a member of the L.A. Four, [1] with whom he made six albums. He co-leads the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with Jeff Clayton and John Clayton. [4] He also leads his own trio, with Jon Hamar on bass and Tamir Hendelman on piano.

Hamilton has worked with Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, the Count Basie Orchestra, Oscar Peterson, and Ray Brown. He toured with Diana Krall and has played on several of her albums. In Japan with Krall in 2002, Hamilton became a fan of Hammond B3 organist Atsuko Hashimoto, and he recorded two albums with her. [5]

Equipment

Hamilton was co-owner of Bosphorus Cymbals. He then started his own cymbal company, Crescent Cymbals, with Michael Vosbein, Bill Norman, and drummer Stanton Moore. Sabian bought out Crescent Cymbals and will be redistributing them through their "Hand-Hammered series." He also plays Mapex Black Panther drums and Remo drum heads (Fiberskyn 3 Diplomat) and his signature Regal Tip sticks and brushes.

Discography

As leader

With the L.A. 4

As sideman

With Monty Alexander

With Ernestine Anderson

With Ray Brown

With Michael Bublé

With Benny Carter

With Rosemary Clooney

With Natalie Cole

With Scott Hamilton

With Atsuko Hashimoto

With Gene Harris

With Diana Krall

With Cory Weeds

With others

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 182. ISBN   0-85112-580-8.
  2. 1 2 3 "Jeff Hamilton, Drummer's Drummer".
  3. "Jeff Hamilton, drums: MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence". Michigan State University . Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  4. Yanow, Scott. "Jeff Hamilton | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  5. Eastwind Import. Full Organ Archived January 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Jeff Hamilton | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2017.