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Graham Dechter: Major Influence
by Jack Bowers
If you're a jazz guitarist who plans to record a quartet CD, you obviously want the most able and supportive rhythm section you can possibly find to lend its weight. For Los Angeles-based Graham Dechter, assembling such a peerless trio to enhance Major Influence, his third album as leader and first in nearly a decade, posed no problem whatsoever: Dechter's bandmates in the world-class Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra would do quite nicely. Yes, there may be rhythm sections whose talents are ...
Continue ReadingGraham Dechter: Major Influence
by Dan Bilawsky
What do you get when you combine a million-dollar feel, sterling technique, clear-eared chording, warm and sophisticated single-note lines and impeccable taste? Graham Dechter, of course. As a longtime member of The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and first-call sideman for the West Coast elite, Dechter has earned his place on the scene. And with his first two albums—Right On Time (Capri, 2009) and Takin' It There (Capri, 2012)—he made an extremely convincing case out front. Not surprisingly, this third date merely ...
Continue ReadingJeff Hamilton, Charles McPherson & The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
by Joe Dimino
From one of the finest drummers in the jazz world, we begin the 694th Episode of Neon Jazz with Jeff Hamilton and a song off his latest album. We also profile a host of musicians releasing some quality new music including Bobby Wiens, Chico Pinheiro, David Gilmore and Charles McPherson. We say goodbye to actor and banjo player who dabbled in the jazz arts, George Segal. We wrap up this episode with the big sound of The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. ...
Continue ReadingJeff Hamilton Trio: Catch Me If You Can
by Jack Bowers
Any trio anchored by drummer Jeff Hamilton has a clear head start when compared to any would-be rivals. That's because Hamilton's unerring and tasteful timekeeping and resourceful use of brushes and sticks would be any trio's dream come true. In this case it's Hamilton's own trio, recording at least the sixteenth album under that name, the bulk of them with the superb Israeli-born pianist Tamir Hendelman at his side and, this time, with bassist Jon Hamar replacing longtime partner Christoph ...
Continue ReadingJeff Hamilton: Live from San Pedro
by Edward Blanco
Together 17 years and counting, the Jeff Hamilton Trio presents another exceptional session of music captured in a one-night live performance at the Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, CA simply titled Live from San Pedro. Along with pianist Tamir Hendelman and bassist Christoph Luty, drummer Hamilton and crew touch on a host of creative compositions including the Monk standard “In Walked Bud," the classic from the Ahmad Jamal songbook, “Poinciana," the Hammerstein/Rodgers ballad, “I Have Dreamed," and “Hoosier Friend," a ...
Continue ReadingJeff Hamilton Trio: Great American Songs Through the Years
by Jack Bowers
Jeff Hamilton, by any measure one of the more tasteful and talented jazz drummers on the scene, has kept his working trio (Tamir Hendelman, piano; Christoph Luty, bass) together for more than a decade. There's a good reason for that: Hendelman and Luty are kindred souls, and as accomplished in their own way as Hamilton is in his. Collectively, they form an inspired and seamless unit that makes every note and phrase seem deceptively credible and polished, as is the ...
Continue ReadingJeff Hamilton Trio: Great American Songs Through the Years
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
In a sonic climate full of studio fixes, it's always refreshing to hear something real--especially when it's executed with this level of excellence. At this point the Jeff Hamilton Trio has been together for over a decade, and it shows in their relaxed and seamless interplay. On this CD, a limited reissue of a 2013 Japanese release, the trio gives new life to ten classics from the American songbook, showing the fine bone structure that made each tune a classic ...
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