Podcast 755: A Conversation with Jeff Hamilton

In keeping with our recent podcasts about piano trios, Podcast 755 is a converation with veteran drum legend Jeff Hamilton. His career has spanned almost every type of ensemble - the Big Bands of Woody Herman and Count Basie, the exotic quartet the L.A. 4 with Ray Brown, Bud Shank and Laurondo Almedida, and backing singers from Ella Fitzgerald to Diana Krall to Natalie Cole.    He has two working trios right now, and Catch Me If You Can is the latest with pianist Tamir Hendelman and bassist Jon Hamar. It's a classic swinging trio, mixing rearranged versions of Big Band standards like "Moonray" and "Big Dipper" with band originals.  Whether its the uptempo title track, ballads like "The Pond" or Brazilian tunes like "Lapinha," the playing is top-notch, and the group sound is always memorable.   Hamilton is both the leader of his own trio as well as well as one of the founders of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and the Akiko-Hamilton-Dechter trio. An always-in-demand drummer, Hamilton calls Los Angeles home, and as been waiting out the recent pandemic teaching and giving master classes.     We talked about the new album at length, as well as sharing stories about Jeff's past gigs with Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Diana Krall and more. Musical selections from Catch Me If You Can include the title tracks, "Moonray" and "Lapinha," along with "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" from the Hamilton Trio's recording with the late Wilfred Brimley, and "Williwaw" from the L.A. 4 album Watch What Happens.