Drummer Jeff Hamilton and his trio includes Christoph Luty on bass, and Tamir Hendelman on piano. This trio has one of the tightest knit sounds, having worked together for 17 years. Jeff Hamilton is one of the most in demand drummers who plays with a versatile, driving, technical style that is full of superlatives. Jeff is an accomplished teacher, arranger, and composer who’s colorful work is sensitive, sizzling, seasoned, and intelligent. Jeff plays at the highest standard, and can be powerful yet soft, understated, and riveting. Jeff grew up in Indiana, began playing at the age of 8, and listened to big band and Oscar Peterson records. Jeff was influenced by Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, Philly Joe Jones, and Shelley Manne. Jeff has worked with Tommy Dorsey, Lionel Hampton, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, The Clayton Brothers, co-leads The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Monty Alexander, Woody Herman, The LA Four, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Rosemary Clooney, Diana Krall, Scott Hamilton, Ernestine Anderson, Gene Harris, Michael Buble, and dozens of jazz greats. Jeff won the LA Jazz Society Musician of the Year Award with John Clayton, performed on Natalie Cole’s film “Unforgettable”, and on Oscar Peterson’s documentary “Life in the Key of Oscar”. Jeff has recorded 12 CD’s as a leader, and has appeared on over 200 recordings with a wide range of artists.
Bassist Christoph Luty plays with a big, full, fat, natural sound that is swinging, lyrical, melodic, and articulate. Luty has studied with bassist John Clayton, and received his Masters’ Degree at USC. Christoph has played with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Diana Krall, Clark Terry, Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Shirley Horn, Milt Jackson, Bill Watrous, Harry Allen, Anthony Wilson, Bill Cunliffe, John Pizzarelli, Dena Derose, Warren Vache, Curtis Stigers, and Howlett Smith. Luty has appeared on nearly 50 recordings, has made 1 CD as a leader, and teaches at Cal State Long Beach, USC, and in his private studio.
Award winning pianist Tamir Hendelman has played with many jazz greats including Teddy Edwards, John & Jeff Clayton, Harry Allen, Tierney Sutton, Phil Upchurch, Ricky Woodard, Sandra Booker, Barbara Morrison, Oscar Brashear, Bob Sheppard, Nick Brignola, Houston Person, Bill Holman, Julia Migenes, Roberta Gambarini, John Pizzarelli, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Jackie Ryan, Janis Mann, Natalie Cole, and Barbara Streisand. Tamir began playing at the age of 6, and studied at the Anazagi Conservatory in Tel Aviv. Tamir won the Yamaha National Keyboard Competition at the age of 14, and later performed in Japan and at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He studied at the Tanglewood Institute, and with Ron Carter and Lee Konitz at Eastman College where he earned his Bachelors’ Degree. Tamir has won awards from ASCAP, and the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts. Tamir is musical director at the Lovewell Institute for Creative Arts, and is a clinician for the Thelonious Monk Institute. Tamir has performed as a guest soloist at the Henry Mancini Institute. Tamir’s playing can be described as exhilarating, intense, sensitive, introspective, captivating, hard swinging, dynamic, flawless, versatile, warm, with a feather-like touch. Tamir has 2 CD’s as a leader, and leads his own trio playing jazz standards, Brazilian, blues, and Israeli roots music. Tamir teaches at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, and Azusa Pacific University. Tamir was influenced by Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, and the classical composer Ravel.
