“It took considerable courage for Mr. Hamilton, whose quietly conversational improvising was so memorably showcased in the Duke Ellington Orchestra, to join a trio of players associated with the jazz avant-garde and make music without the support of a rhythm section. But he handles everything gracefully, even the broiling intensity of extended pieces by Mr. Carter and Mr. Batiste.”
-Robert Palmer, New York Times, 1 June 1986
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – JULY 12: Clarinet player Jimmy Hamilton (ex Duke Ellington Orchestra) performs live on stage at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, Holland on July 12 1984 (photo by Frans Schellekens/Redferns)
The recordings heard on this podcast episode:
Hurdle Gurdle (CD: “The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World” Pablo 2625-704)
Recorded 1 July 1967 in Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl)
Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington, Cootie Williams – trumpets; Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper – trombones; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; John Lamb– bass; Rufus Jones– drums.
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Take the “A” Train (CD: “1967 European Tour” Lone Hill Jazz LHJ10105)
Recorded 22 February 1967 in Rome (Teatro Sistina)
Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington, Cootie Williams – trumpets; Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper – trombones; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; John Lamb– bass; Rufus Jones– drums.
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Stranger on the Shore/Satin Doll/Don’t Get Around Much Anymore (CD: “Jimmy Hamilton Live at The Buccaneer” Jazz Time JTM 8159)
Recorded 24 September 1982 in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (The Buccaneer)
Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax; Gary Mayone – piano; Joe Straws – bass; Delroy Thomas – drums.
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Groovin’ High/ Jeep’s Blues/ Honeysuckle Rose (LP: “Clarinet Summit In Concert at The Public Theater,” India Navigation IN-1062)
Recorded Spring 1981 in New York City (The Public Theater)
Jimmy Hamilton, John Carter, Alvin Batiste – clarinet; David Murray – bass clarinet.
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Waltz A Minute (LP: “Clarinet Summit In Concert at The Public Theater, Volume II,” India Navigation IN-1067)
Recorded Spring 1981 in New York City (The Public Theater) Jimmy Hamilton, John Carter, Alvin Batiste – clarinet; David Murray – bass clarinet.
— Our closing music —-
It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)
Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City
Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.
Ellington Reflections 