CD Review: The Jeff Hamilton Trio, "Live From San Pedro"

As Drummer, Arranger and Leader of the Jeff Hamilton Band, Jeff Hamilton has just released a new CD with his amazing trio, "Live From San Pedro".  To say this is a great Jazz album would be an understatement because everything I have ever heard from Jeff Hamilton is great.  The Jeff Hamilton Trio consists of Tamir Hendelman on Piano and Christoph Luty on Bass.  These  gentlemen are among the best Jazz musicians performing today. Putting them all together with Jeff Hamilton's leadership is nothing short of spectacular! Tamir Hendelman is without question one of the greatest Jazz pianists performing today, and I search out anything new he does.  Christoph Luty is one of only a handful of Bassists who can meet Jeff Hamilton's driving, extraordinary rhythmic control and  stop-on-a dime arrangements.  He makes it look easy.  This trio is a swing machine and even with Jeff Hamilton's tight control over detail,  the Trio always sounds free and creatively inspired.  Perfectly framed improvisations never seem restrictive for this trio.  This is exactly what every Jazz Trio should reach for.

This Cd will no doubt be one of the best Jazz releases this year.   The Cd is being released on February 16 and it's not to be missed.  Thank you Jeff for continuing to release only the highest quality Jazz of recordings.   I have to also mention that Jeff continues to support a lot of creative releases with young up-and-coming artists. Here is a Jazz artist that never forgets to give back to the next generations of Jazz performers!

I found a "YouTube" of one of the tracks on the CD, "Sybille's Day".  It swings from beginning to end.

Playlist:
1. "Sybille's Day"
2. "Poinciana"
3. "Hammer's Tones"
4. "I Have Dreamed"
5. "In Walked Bud"
6. "Gina's Groove"
7. "Brush This"
8. " Bennissimo"
9. "Gary Indiana"
10. "Hoosier Friend"

CD Review: Scott Hamilton & Jeff Hamilton Trio, "Live In Bern"

Scott Hamilton and Jeff Hamilton are not family related but they are musical brothers. This is the first CD from these two Jazz giants, and I hope it will not be their last.  Scott Hamilton takes the lead on some great Standards accompanied by the fabulous Jeff Hamilton Trio consisting of Jeff on Drums, Tamir Hendelman on Piano and Christoph Luty on Bass.  This CD is a classic swing Jazz album that proves that a warm-toned Tenor and delicious phrasing can still produce magical music.
Jeff Hamilton, every one's favorite Drummer continues to prove that technical ability and intuitive percussive artistry are a winning combination.  Jeff seems to be everywhere you look on the music scene, playing with his Trio, co-leader of the outstanding Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and writing creative music like his own composition "Sybille's Day",  the 7th cut on this CD.  Jeff also had a hand in Producing this CD, while the playlist is mostly up tempo,  there are also some great ballads.
Tamir Hendelman once again proves on this CD that he is one of the leading Jazz Pianist on the Jazz scene today.  He can do it all, great solos, solid support for other lead players and never interfering with their spot in the sun and seamlessly joining the band together as one.  This is my first experience with Christof Luty who does an outstanding job on Bass.  I should not have been surprised at his talent knowing that these three magnificent musicians would only ask an exceptional Bassman to join them.  This is a great CD to have a drink, turn the lights down low and kick back for an hour of wonderful Jazz sounds.

The Playlist is an unusual grouping of great songs.  Take a look at the composers, they are all at the  top of the composer list:

            PLAYLIST:
1. "September in The Rain"  Dubin/Warren
2. "All Through the Night" Cole Porter
3. "Watch What Happens" Michel Legrand
4. "Soul Eyes" Mal Waldron
5. "This Can't Be Love"  Richard Rodgers
6. "There'll Be Some Changes Made" W. Benton Overstreet
7. "Sybille's Day"  Jeff Hamilton
8.  "Key Largo"   Benny Carter
9. "Woody'n You"   Dizzy Gillespie
10. "The Champ"  Alan Hawkshaw
11. "Ballad For Very Tired and Very Sad Lotus Eaters"  Billy Strayhorn
12. "You and the Night and The Music"  Arthur Schwartz
13. "Centerpiece"   Harry Edison

           I found a "YouTube" for you to hear cut #10 on this CD, "The Champ'.  Enjoy!