Jamaica’s legendary jazz great Monty Alexander will return to the stage with Grammy-winning bassist John Clayton and renowned drummer Jeff Hamilton to commemorate the trio’s 40th anniversary reunion.
The event is set for Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood, California on July 10 at 7:30 p.m– 40 years to the day since the trio recorded the album “The Monty Alexander Trio – Montreux Alexander – Live! At the Montreux Festival.”
The original album was well received, and later reissued on CD featuring Alexander playing “Satin Doll,” “Work Song,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and a version of “Feelings.”
At 71, Alexander is ranked among the top jazz pianists of all time, and still tours the world with various projects, drawing a global audience with his self-described approach “to build up the heat and kick up a storm” with his music.
John Clayton has worked as a composer, arranger, conductor, producer and educator in addition to his career as a bassist, and has collaborated with the likes of Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah and Charles Aznavour.
In addition to individual clinics, workshops, and private students as his schedule permits, Clayton also directs educational components associated with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Centrum Festival and Vail Jazz Party.
Some of Clayton’s most prominent projects include arranging the “Star Spangled Banner” for Whitney Houston’s 1990 Super Bowl performance; playing bass alongside Paul McCartney on his CD “Kisses on the Bottom;” and arranging and playing bass with Yo-Yo-Ma and Friends on “Songs of Joy and Peace;” among many others.
John Hamilton also maintains a packed schedule of recording with his trio, performing on other collaborative projects, teaching, arranging and composing.
He and his recordings, such as “It’s Hamilton Time” and “Jeff Hamilton Trio-LIVE!”, have received acclaim throughout the world.
Hamilton’s originality and versatility as a drummer have contributed to his highly in-demand status– he has been featured on nearly 200 recordings with artists such as Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney and Barbra Streisand.