Aug 18, 2020
In keeping
with our recent podcasts about piano trios, Podcast 755 is a
converation with veteran drum legend Jeff Hamilton. His career has spanned almost every
type of ensemble - the Big Bands of Woody Herman and Count Basie,
the exotic quartet the L.A. 4 with Ray Brown, Bud Shank and
Laurondo Almedida, and backing singers from Ella Fitzgerald to
Diana Krall to Natalie Cole.
He has two
working trios right now, and Catch Me If You Can
is the latest with pianist Tamir
Hendelman and
bassist Jon Hamar. It's a classic swinging trio, mixing
rearranged versions of Big Band standards like "Moonray" and "Big
Dipper" with band originals. Whether its the uptempo title
track, ballads like "The Pond" or Brazilian tunes like "Lapinha,"
the playing is top-notch, and the group sound is always
memorable.
Hamilton is
both the leader of his own trio as well as well as one of the
founders of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and the
Akiko-Hamilton-Dechter trio. An always-in-demand drummer, Hamilton
calls Los Angeles home, and as been waiting out the recent pandemic
teaching and giving master classes.
We talked
about the new album at length, as well as sharing stories about
Jeff's past gigs with Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Diana Krall and
more. Musical selections from Catch Me If You
Can include the title tracks, "Moonray" and
"Lapinha," along with "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" from the Hamilton
Trio's recording with the late Wilfred Brimley, and "Williwaw" from
the L.A. 4 album Watch What
Happens.