Hard to believe it’s been over 40 years since tenor saxist Scott Hamilton set the jazz world on its heels in the 70s and eschewed the popular jazz fusion and returned to swinging acoustic jazz years before the Marsalis family became a trademark. Here, he teams with Jeff Hamilton’s symbiotic trio of Tamil Hendelman/p and Christof Luty/b at the International Jazzfestival Bern in 2014 and delivers a stellar set.
Hamilton’s tone is a dream come true, mixing the Texas Tenor with KC cool as Jeff Hamilton’s brushes do a soft shoe on “September In The Rain” and gets dreamy with his tympani on “Key Largo.” Hendelman and JH develop a deep groove for SH on “All Through the Night” and the trio boogies like it’s 12th Stree & Vine on “Sybille’s Day.” An exotic read on “Woody ‘n You” goes Cuban like a Romeo & Juliet, and “Soul Eyes” rolls in like a fragrant fog while “Watch What Happens” is delivered with a swagger. This one’s a true joy.
Capri Records