Jeff Hamilton (drummer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeff Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 2018 in Denmark | |
| Background information | |
| Born | August 4, 1953 Richmond, Indiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Labels | Mons (de), Azica, Capri |
| Website | www |
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.
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 Tadataka Unno 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 organists Atsuko Hashimoto, and Akiko Tsuruga, and went on to record albums and tour with them.[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 Innovative Percussion sticks and brushes.
