Blue Duchess
Records Signs Jazz Tenor Sax Great Scott Hamilton
Label Debut,
Remembering Billie, Produced by Duke Robillard, Salutes Billie Holiday on
February 26
MIAMI, FL – Blue Duchess Records announces the signing of
jazz tenor saxophone great Scott Hamilton, and will release his label debut CD,
Remembering Billie, on February 26. Produced by Duke Robillard,
the 10 all-instrumental tracks on Remembering Billie salute Billie
Holiday in a worthy tribute of songs associated with the iconic singer,
including several of her most-cherished tunes, such as “Good Morning Heartache,”
“Them There Eyes” and “God Bless the Child.” Hamilton’s sax is backed by a trio
of Tim Ray on piano, Dave Zinno on acoustic bass and Jim Gwin on drums, with
Duke Robillard guesting on two tracks on acoustic archtop guitar.
The sessions were recorded at Lakewest Recording in West
Greenwich, RI.
“I started to make a Billie
tribute many years ago with Ruby Braff but it ended up as something else,”
Hamilton says. “At any rate, I have always considered the Billie Holiday
repertoire as a great subject for an album like this. It's possible to pay
tribute without changing your own style for the occasion - a big problem with
most ‘project’ albums. It was Duke’s idea to do an album with the guys I play
with when I’m back home in New England, which is something I have wanted to do
for a long time. I think the band is what makes this record special - the guys
play so well together. I can't really do them justice here. Everything they play
is so right for the songs.
And Duke - I'm glad we were able
to talk him into playing on a couple of numbers. He really loves these songs and
it’s great to hear him on the acoustic guitar. I wish we could play some gigs
with this band.”
Whether on ballads or swinging tunes, the magical tenor sax
of Scott Hamilton shines through on Remembering Billie with his
impressive tones and expressive soul. “Eight of the ten selections here are from
that pre-WWII era when Billie’s work contained a lightness, great joy and a
sense of fun,” writes Bob Porter in the album’s liner notes. “She made it sound
so easy, but then so does Scott Hamilton. But you know it cannot be easy or else
all musicians would have that quality and very, very few actually do. This is
timeless music played by one of the few masters of our time. Treasure it.”
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Scott Hamilton got an early
schooling in jazz from his father’s record collection, and after experimenting
with several instruments, dedicated his playing exclusively to the saxophone by
the time he was 16. After moving to New York at age 22, he was taken under the
wing of legendary trumpeter Roy Eldridge, who helped get him a six-week gig at
Michael’s Pub in the city, and in turn, chances to play and learn from such
people like Eldridge, Illinois Jacquet, Jo Jones and the great Benny Goodman.
In 1977, he formed his own band and signed to Concord
Records, where he recorded over 40 albums with that label, including a lengthy
and noteworthy collaboration with singer Rosemary Clooney that resulted in 15
albums over 15 years. Many of those projects involved concept albums around
composers such as Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer;
some were individual projects or ballads, show tunes and a couple of dedications
to singers Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday. On Remembering Billie,
Hamilton reprises three of the songs included in the original Holiday tribute he
recorded with Clooney.
In addition to a repertoire of acclaimed albums released
under his own name, Scott Hamilton has made albums with such legends as Woody
Herman, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan and Buddy Tate. Over the years, he’s also
performed and recorded with such touring bands as the Concord Jazz All Stars,
the Concord Super Band and George Wein’s Newport Jazz Festival All Stars. Based
in London for a number of years, Scott now travels the globe from his home in
Italy, touring regularly all over the world at festivals, jazz club dates and
residencies at some of the most prestigious venues in the world.
For more information, visit www.blueduchessrecords.com or www.scotthamiltonsax.com.
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