JEFF HAMILTON TRIO
Swinging Trio with Tamir Hendelman (piano) and Christoph Luty (bass)
Drummer Jeff Hamilton has been honing his big band skills since the tender age of 8, earning him a presence on the stage with legends like Ella Fitzgerald, the Count Basie Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Monty Alexander and Diana Krall. Currently performing with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and the Clayton Brothers or co-leading the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, this in-demand drummer brings his eponymous trio to The Signature Jazz Cruise 2015 for guests to revel in his sensational stylistics at the helm of a drum. Overflowing but well-deserved accolades include that of No. 1 jazz drummer in Modern Drummer Magazine’s reader’s poll, 2006 Musician of the Year (along with musical partner John Clayton) by the Los Angeles Jazz Society, and a No. 5 spot on the Gavin national jazz radio chart for “It’s Hamilton Time” by the Jeff Hamilton Trio. Featured in nearly 200 recordings – including 16 Grammy Award-winning titles – with the likes of Natalie Cole, Barbara Streisand, Mel Torme and Herb Ellis, Jeff also teaches, arranges and composes for the drums.
DIANNE REEVES -- Multiple Grammy® Winning Jazz Vocalist
The Signature Jazz Cruise is thrilled to present four-time Grammy® winner and celebrated jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves on its 2015 sailing. With unrivaled power and skill, Dianne’s voice has commanded prominent roles in the soundtrack of the Academy Award-nominated film “Good Night, and Good Luck;” recordings of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; performances with the Berlin Philharmonic; and state dinners at the White House. The first creative chair for jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the songstress’s distinctive jazz and R&B stylings have earned her a unique place in music history with Best Jazz Vocal Performance nods on three consecutive recordings. Her latest endeavor, “Beautiful Life,” is a true testament to her virtuosity, bringing R&B, Latin and pop influences to 21st century jazz.
JOE LOVANO -- Multiple Grammy Winning Saxophonist
Grammy®-winning saxophonist and composer Joe Lovano is constantly striving to redefine jazz, and he’ll continue pushing the genre’s envelope on The Signature Jazz Cruise 2015. The Gary Burton Chair of Jazz Performance at Berklee College of Music started playing the alto sax at age 5 and switched to the tenor shortly thereafter. By 16, Joe had joined the Musician’s Union, Local 4, and was working professionally, eventually earning enough to put himself through college. Along with 23 albums to his name, Joe has recorded and toured with musical masters including Gunther Schuller, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Bobby Hutcherson, Dave Brubeck, Billy Higgins, Dave Holland, Ed Blackwell, Michel Petrucciani, Lee Konitz, Abbey Lincoln, Tom Harrell, McCoy Tyner, Jim Hall and Bob Brookmeyer. Testament to his experimental prowess, Joe has won awards for Multi-reeds Player and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from the Jazz Journalists Association and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year from Down Beat Magazine.
Diane Reeves -
In Your Eyes