Merry & Bright (Capri Records)

Jeff Hamilton Trio

Released in 2021

YouTube:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kAFK-aS9bfyXSe69q_pUmPiZLNFPBjyoU

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4peDxp3LDJHfZ9kDBJnjKU?si=J2rj1g8FTgm2Hf43IvsBiQ

About:

Revered jazz drummer Jeff Hamilton reunites with his trio, featuring bassist Jon Hamar and pianist Tamir Hendelman, for Merry & Bright, a recording of Hamilton’s favorite Christmas tunes. The album will be released November 19, 2021 via Capri Records. “I’ve always enjoyed holiday music and have been planning on doing a Christmas project for many years. I finally did it during the pandemic and got my trio into the studio to record it direct to 2 track, like I used to. We were very happy with the outcome. We put together these arrangements and got the recording done in only a few hours.”

The tunes were selected from Hamilton’s memories growing up in a family where everyone gathered around the piano and sang Christmas tunes in four-part harmony. It was a time when Andy Williams’ version of “It’s the Holiday Season” was on the radio and turntables were everywhere in America. Two of the pieces, “Caroling Caroling” and “Bright, Bright the Holly Berries” he learned from The Singers Unlimited, whose textured vocal harmonies were reminiscent of Hamilton’s evenings singing with the family.

Hamar and Hendelman open “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the spirit of the original, somewhat melancholy version sung by Judy Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Of course, Frank Sinatra’s version is one best remembered, as well as Mel Tormé’s, who wrote a beautiful new verse for the tune.

The traditional piece “O Tannenbaum” is played thoughtfully by Tamir. “Santa Baby” was a bit of a naughty song when Eartha Kitt sang it in 1953. Her version is still the most popular even though it was later covered by Michael Bublé, and most recently Ariana Grande.

Many people may not know it was Gene Autry who wrote and first performed “Here Comes Santa Claus.” The up-tempo Brazilian version delivered by Hamilton’s trio is sure to become a classic.

From Hamilton’s trademark brush stylings on “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” to his down-home treatments of “It’s The Holiday Season” and “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” these tunes were arranged to be listened to year-round.   “We hope people enjoy listening to these tunes as much as we enjoyed putting the recording together,” says Hamilton. “There’s a combination of all the things we do that has become the trio’s signature style and what it’s known for.”

Track Listing:

1. It’s the Holiday Season (Kay Thompson) 03:45

2. Caroling Caroling (Alfred Burt / Wihla Hutson) 04:41

3. The Little Drummer Boy (Katherine Davis / Henry Onorati / Harry Simeone) 05:07

4. Let Is Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne) 03:14

5. Bright Bright the Holly Berries (Alfred Burt / Wihla Hutson) 06:06

6. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the year (Eward Pola / George Wyle) 04:32

7. Here Cames Santa Claus (Gene Autry / Oakley Haldeman) 04:51

8. Santa Baby (Joan Javitz / Philip Springer) 04:23

9. O Tannenbaum (Traditional) 04:30

10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christman (Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin) 05:16

Personnel:

Jeff Hamilton: drums

Tamir Hendelman: piano

Jon Hamar: bass

Recorded live March 15, 2021, at Tritone Recording, Glendale, CA

Executive Producer: Thomas Burns

Producer: Jeff Hamilton

Recording and Mixing Engineer: Steve Genewick

Assistant Engineer: Harriet Tam

Mastering Engineer: David Glasser

Cover Art: Vartan Taikaldiranian

Cover Photo: Alex Solca

Design/Layout: Todd Reid

Review:

For his first holiday album as a leader, the virtuoso drummer selected material based on memories of his family singing Christmas songs in four-part harmony around the house. No vocals on this recording, though; just a hard-swinging set from Hamilton, pianist Tamir Hendelman, and bassist Jon Hamar, who play mostly familiar tunes such as “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Santa Baby,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as well as lesser-known compositions like “It’s the Holiday Season” and “Bright Bright the Holly Berries.” One highlight is their version of “The Little Drummer Boy,” so appropriate for this acknowledged master of the brushes and snare. Overall, a burning set from one of the very best piano trios on today’s scene.

Lee Mergner (JazzTimes)