Scott Hamilton Quartet: At PizzaExpress Live

"Cocktail jazz" is a term used to describe a jazz music style often played in upscale, sophisticated settings such as bars, restaurants, and hotels. It is typically characterized by its relaxed and laid-back feel and its use of melodic and harmonically accessible tunes that are pleasant to listen to. The Scott Hamilton Quartet release At PizzaExpress Live is a perfect example.

Hamilton's long career (over fifty albums as a leader, many on the Concord Jazz label) is one of startling consistency and quality. His big, warm, breathy sound and style brought comparisons to Ben Webster among others. He was awarded the Ben Webster Prize from the namesake's foundation in Denmark in 1995. Winning many other awards over the years, he has also topped JazzTimes Reader's Poll: Best Tenor Saxophonist, 11 times (1999-2007, 2014, 2015).

This album is a wonderful snapshot of what he does best. This nine-song, 91-minute release is made up entirely of ballads and mid-tempo standards. The relaxed atmosphere lends itself to extended soloing and exploration of the melody. Along with standards like "The Summer Wind," "Girl From Ipanema" (with a brief stop in New York City to "Take The A Train") and "Poinciana" (written by the recently deceased and another purveyor of this idiom, Ahmad Jamal), there are two songs associated with Dizzy Gillespie ("Blues 'n' Boogie" and "Tin Tin Deo"). The four others are a bit more off the beaten standards fare, but Hamilton breathes them back to life with the help of his superb UK quartet featuring pianist John Pierce, bassist Dave Green and the drummer, Steve Brown. This quartet has been accompanying Hamilton over the last 20 years on his frequent jaunts overseas. All of these players fit Hamilton's sensibilities and style like a glove.

This is the debut release from PX Records. PX was created by the English restaurant and live music chain, PizzaExpress. They run three classic jazz clubs including their flagship venue in Soho where Hamilton first performed forty years ago. This new label has plans to put out live albums of both new performances and from their extensive archives of big-name acts.

In some circles, the term "cocktail jazz" is viewed in a negative light. They are listeners who want to be more challenged in their jazz appreciation. The history of jazz though, is replete with artists like Paul Desmond, who choose to stay closer to the beauty of a composition while finding the space to make a composition their own. Scott Hamilton is an artist who has long continued that tradition. There is room for both schools of thought.

This recording works perfectly as background music in a social setting or maybe to play on a Sunday morning while reading the newspaper. However, a deeper layer can be found by simply taking the time to sit down and listen closely. You will find a master at the top of his game playing beautiful jazz, while at the same time showing improvisational skills that few can match.