Hamilton’s Trio Marches to His Drum

Even with a casual listening, there’s no doubt the trio heard on Jeff Hamilton’s new recording “Hamilton House” is led by the drummer, and it’s not because the disc is full of long, indulgent and over-miked drum solos--it’s not.

Recorded live at Steamers Cafe in Fullerton for the German MONS Records label--the trio’s third for the label that has also recorded such notables as trumpeter Clark Terry and saxophonist Don Braden--Hamilton is clearly in command of the music, dropping cues with tom-tom rolls, manipulating tempos or blanketing pianist Larry Fuller and bassist Lynn Seaton with lush rhythms.

The most audible examples of Hamilton’s control can be heard on the trio’s stop-and-start version of Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-N-Ning.” Hamilton alone sounds the first three-note phrase of Monk’s quirky theme each time it begins, often after long, pregnant silences, choosing just the right combination of toms and snare to suggest the ascending line that is then picked up by Fuller and Seaton.

On Denzil Best’s “Move,” Hamilton takes the pace of bassist Seaton’s well-crafted introduction and kicks it from a soft shuffle into a sprint.

The drummer’s formidable brush work is well-represented here, simmering on Billy Taylor’s cocky “Easy Walker,” sizzling under Fuller’s lush piano chords on Ellington’s “Just Squeeze Me,” and on fire during “Rhythm-N-Ning.”

Two cuts show Hamilton’s knack for offbeat rhythmic forms: John Clayton’s Caribbean-inspired “Teef” and the Scottish march of the traditional tune that gives the album its name.

While clearly in charge, Hamilton runs a democratic institution, giving his pianist and bassist equal time. Fuller’s harmonically rich play, especially effective against Hamilton’s brushes, can be relaxed and melodic, as on the Lennon-McCartney tune “Here, There and Everywhere,” or aggressively bluesy as on “C.C. Rider.”

Seaton has a big, root-bound sound that often flowers into unaccompanied solos. As a unit, the trio makes an argument for the familiarity brought about by shared experience with tight, interplay and the kind of support and response that comes from the trios’ four years of working together.

“Hamilton House” is an excellent example of the their live work, demonstrating that the best piano trios aren’t necessarily led by pianists. Hamilton learned that from his former boss bassist Ray Brown.

One quibble with the release is in the packaging, which notes that it was recorded live at Steamers in “Los Angeles, California.” Shouldn’t Fullerton get its due now that Steamers and Hamilton have put it on the jazz map?

Though the album has been released in Europe, it isn’t scheduled for American release until January. A limited number of copies will be available when the trio returns to Steamers this weekend.

The Jeff Hamilton Trio plays Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, 7:30 p.m., at Steamers Cafe, 138 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton. $5 cover, two-drink minimum. (714) 871-8800.

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