If you want to hear what a drummer can do for a band, just step right up. Jeff Hamilton, co-leader of his own orchestra as well as his own trio and 1st call LA sideman is up front and center here on this husky collection of originals and standards. He can drive the band like a scene from Wagon Train on the punchy take of “Well, You Needn’t” as well as sashay with the brushes with the nimble horn section on “Samba de Martelo.” Some Dragnet-moods are evoked on Clark’s “Red Sky” which also includes Tom Garling/tb and Chris Madsen/ts contributing some excellent solos, while “Femme Fatale” features Ryan Cohen’s thoughtful piano. The harmonies on Strayhorn’s title track glisten, and the whole team show they’ve got the swing thing is evident on “Yesterday’s Gardenias.” Nice charts, solos and attitude!
Jazzed Media