The Sandlane Sessions
The Sandlane Sessions are an initiative of the Remo company and the Sandlane Studios in The Netherlands. Every two months a Remo artist hosts an edition of the Sandlane Sessions: an evening with the artist for a selected group of people. This edition the legendary Jeff Hamilton sat in with his trio to show how much fun making music can be, share thoughts on music, studying, playing together, and give insight into how the pro's are just as human in their musical approach as any other person.

The videos
In the first three videos you get some free lessons from Jeff with priceless and funny stories that help you steps forward in how you can perceive your playing and act on it. Jeff talks about 'creating a mirage,' explaining that what you play is not how it is perceived by the audience. Or - just as helpful, about how to play relaxed. In the third video you learn how to beat those nerves before you go on stage or before recordings in a studio.

The last four videos have the recordings made that evening by the Jeff Hamilton Trio, including the introduction of Time Passes On, written by Jeff Hamilton as an ode to his first drum teacher John McMann. Quoting Jeff, remembering one of his biggest influences:

"[...] He also would stand behind me with the butt end of a marching stick and pound the tempo between my shoulder blades. I'd stand there and cry as a little boy.... he would be in jail today if he did that! [laughter all over]

But he really stressed how important time was to me."

Jeff Hamilton uses Remo Drums & Heads

• 5 1/2"x14" Snare drum (top head Fyberskyn Diplomat 3 wit a band-aid for muffling near edge; bottom head Clear Ambassador)
  
• 8"x12" Mounted tom (top head: Fyberskyn Diplomat 3; bottom head: Clear Ambassador)
  
• 14"x14" Floor tom wit legs (top head: Fyberskyn Diplomat 3; bottom head: Clear Ambassador)
  
• 16"x18" Bass drum (Fyberskyn Diplomat 3 on both heads, not powerstroke). Muffling is a 10"x3" piece of thin felt taped to batter head 4" from the bottom.

For larger ensembles, Jeff uses a 16"x20" bass drum with same heads and muffling.
Click here to view Jeff Hamilton's complete setup.

Jeff is also endorsed by Regal Tip (Signature Sticks and Signature Brushes) and he is part owner of Crescent Cymbals and features his new Hammertone Series.

Check out the videos on the right and watch the masters work.

The Jeff Hamilton Trio
The Jeff Hamilton Trio has recorded several albums from 2004 until now. They are listed on the right.

Jeff Hamilton
With over three decades of experience, Jeff is one of the most sought after drummers in the scene and for many years now Dian Krall's sticksman. He has played and recorded with artists like Michael Buble, Paul McCartney, Monty Alexander, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole, Queen Latifah, Dr. John, James Morrison, Ray Brown, Nina Simone, Milt Jackson and many, many others. In 1985, together with bass player John Clayton and saxophonist Jeff Clayton, he formed the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

In his overpacked schedule he finds the time to go record and go on tour with his Jeff Hamilton Trio, with Tamir Hendelman on piano and Christoph Luty on bass.

Tamir Hendelman
Award-winning jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman has performed with the Jeff Hamilton Trio, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Harry Allen, Teddy Edwards, Warren Vache, Houston Person, Jeff Clayton, Nick Brignola, Phil Upchurch, Rickey Woodard, John Clayton and Barbara Morrison. He also leads his own trio and his debut CD 'Playground' features him in this trio setting.

Beginning his keyboard studies at age 6 in Tel Aviv, Tamir moved to the US at age 12 in 1984, winning Yamaha's national keyboard competition 2 years later at age 14. Concerts in Japan and the Kennedy Center followed.

Tamir then studied at the Tanglewood Institute in 1988 and received a Bachelor of Music Composition degree from Eastman School of Music in 1993. He then became the youngest musical director for Lovewell Institute, a national arts education non-profit organization.

Since returning to LA in 1996, Tamir has been in steady demand as pianist and arranger, touring the US, Europe and Asia, and receiving awards from ASCAP and National Foundation For Advancement in the Arts. In 1999 Tamir was a guest soloist with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.

Tamir joined the Jeff Hamilton Trio in 2000, contributing arrangements, recording and touring Japan, Europe and the US. In 2001 he became a member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, with whom he premiered John Clayton's new orchestration of Oscar Peterson's Canadiana Suite in the Hollywood Bowl in 2001.

Christoph Luty
Bassist Christoph Luty is known for his big, natural sound, melodic bass lines and solos, and articulate arco playing. He came to Los Angeles from Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1990 to pursue his dream of studying and playing with the greats. He studied bass with his mentor John Clayton--who has said "Christoph’s playing exemplifies...swinging bass lines, lyrical solos, and a great, natural sound that is huge and full"--and also earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California. His playing has received many accolades. All About Jazz noted that "bassist Christoph Luty has a fat sound and an unerring sense of melody."

With the Jeff Hamilton Trio "Luty ‘sang’ with a rich sound recalling the sonorous lower register of jazz bass great Ray Brown," as reviewed in The Capital-Journal. Reviewing Christoph’s CD 'It’s Good To Be Seen,' Jazz Player Magazine noted that "Christoph Luty’s arco bass playing ability is remarkable...exceptionally in tune with a centered tone."