Jeff Hamilton (drummer)


Jeff Hamilton is an American jazz drummer who is co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

Music career

Hamilton was born on August 4, 1953 in Richmond, Indiana and attended Indiana University. Starting in 1975, he was a member of Monty Alexander's Trio, then Woody Herman's Orchestra from 1977–1978. He was a member of the L.A. Four, with whom he made six albums. He co-leads the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with Jeff Clayton and John Clayton. He also leads his own trio, with Christoph Luty on bass and Tamir Hendelman 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.

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 and his signature Regal Tip sticks and brushes.

Discography

As leader

With the L.A. 4
With Monty Alexander
With Ray Brown
With Benny Carter
With Diana Krall
With Scott Hamilton
With Rosemary Clooney
With Ernestine Anderson
With Gene Harris
With Michael Bublé
With others