Drummer Jeff Hamilton, Trio to Play for Napa Valley Jazz Society
For Immediate Release
October 4, 2010Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Contact: Bill Hart bill@napavalleyjazzsociety.org
Perennial poll winning drummer Jeff Hamilton will bring his trio to the Robert Mondavi Winery as part of the Napa Valley Jazz Society’s continuing Parlor Jazz series on Sunday, October 10. Hamilton, equally at home with his trio, the Clayton-Hamilton big band or backing singer Diana Krall, will perform at 4 p.m. in the winery’s Vineyard Room.
Joining Hamilton are Israeli-born pianist Tamir Hendelman and bassist Christoph Luty. Edward Blanco wrote in a recent review of the trio’s CD, “Symbiosis,” “The bassist and the pianist are as eloquent with their play as Hamilton is imaginative, smooth and blistering when the occasion called for it.”
Hamilton grew up in Richmond, Indiana and began playing drums at age eight, listening to such masters as Krupa, Rich and “Philly” Jo Jones and playing along with Oscar Peterson records. Little did he know he would one day join Peterson and bassist Ray Brown in OP’s trio.
He joined the Woody Herman band in 1977. Later, he would have a seven-year association with the great Ray Brown. Hamilton and co-leader of their big band, John Clayton, were named musicians of the year in 2006 by the Los Angeles Jazz Society.
Hendelman began his keyboard studies at age six in Tel Aviv and got his first taste of jazz listening to Count Basie. His family moved to Los Angeles, and at 14, he won a national competition sponsored by Yamaha.
Luty is a classically trained bassist with phenomenal bow technique. He and Hendelman both teach extensively and are in demand to play with top jazz instrumentalists and vocalists.
The Napa Valley Jazz Society is approaching the end of its first year of activity and presents a monthly Parlor Jazz event as well as co-sponsoring additional concerts, workshops and jazz related happenings. Tickets for the Jeff Hamilton Trio are $20 for members and $40 for non-members. Attendance is limited, and priority goes to members of the Napa Valley Jazz Society, already nearly 300 strong. See the NVJS website for information and ticket purchase: .