Jazz Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Jazz Hamilton is a Puerto Rican saxophonist, recording artist, musical director, and composer. Known for his recordings on jazz, Latin jazz, smooth jazz and salsa genres, he also recorded two classical musical pieces in his album My Soul released in 2008, the classical piece Wolfgang Jacobi Sonata for alto saxophone
and piano
, and the theme "The Green Hornet". His execution and work on both of these musical pieces have been praised by critics. His main instruments are alto and soprano saxophone
s, but he also plays tenor
and baritone saxophone
s. His collection of instruments include a Vintage Buescher straight-soprano saxophone (in his possession for over 25 years), which he plays with a Claude Lakey 7* mouth piece, and given to him by his professor over 30 years ago, a Vintage Selmer Mark VI
alto saxophone that he plays with a Eugene Russeau Jazz metal mouth piece #9. For reeds he uses Rico Royal and La Voz.
After a long career as a professional musician in the genre of Jazz
and Latin Jazz
, touring all over the world as the lead Alto Sax player for artists such as El Maestro Tito Puente
and Giovanni Hidalgo; as well as performing with internationally well known artists such as Sammy Davis Jr., Hilton Ruiz
, Red Rodney, among others; and after a long career in the Salsa genre as the Musical Director for artists such as Marvin Santiago
, Domingo Quiñones and Andy Montañez
among otherst, in 1989 recording artist Jazz Hamilton launched his solo career performing in France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Central and South America, The Caribbean, throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In 1990 he recorded his first solo album on the genre of Jazz titled Solar Rain. After the good reception of that album he recorded the albums Fantasy, Love In D Minor and Inolvidable.
In 2000 he released in Europe the tour for the concert Hamilton y Las Estrellas Del Pueblo, a concept created by Jazz Hamilton which resurrects the Traditional Salsa rhythms and styles of the 60's, 70's, 80's, and early 90's. Working with original compositions from known composers of these eras, he enriched the harmony of each of the compositions with his own original musical arrangements, while keeping the essence of the thematic written by its original composers.
In 2004 the concept was enhanced and a tour was launched in 2004-2005 to cover Puerto Rico, Latin America and Florida.
In 2006 recording artist Jazz Hamilton became the Executive Producer for the TV Talk Show Elizabeth En Tu Agenda presented by his wife, Elizabeth Hernandez, which broadcast weekly on 3 different networks including Telemundo
in the large Central Florida
market.
In 2008 the album Hamilton Y Las Estrellas Del Pueblo was released. Reviews by Latin Lady DJ Margarita stated that “If you've ever wondered what it would have been like to experience the "Salsa Explosion" first-hand, then wonder no more! Jazz Hamilton y Las Estrellas Del Pueblo, deliver a heavy duty dose of... Salsa Gorda! "Relive" with this cd, as well as their DVD, the heart and soul of what the 70's in New York were all about... Salsa Clasica! On this endeavor you will be treated to a collection of well known favorites, as well as some new and original arrangements, along with an amazing list of guest vocalists. The list is truly incredible, the result is simply satisfying!”. Review by Bruce Polin states that ”...you'll arrive at a kick-butt live salsa explosion featuring an ocean of salsa superstars.”
Also in 2008 his CD My Soul was featured on the cover and main story page of Latin Beat Magazine
, August edition (titled Jazz Hamilton born to play jazz in the land of Salsa). His execution and work have been praised by critics such as Paul J Youngman as "Way out there", "A virtuoso". In 2009 he released his first Christmas CD Smooth Holidays.
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, and the theme "The Green Hornet". His execution and work on both of these musical pieces have been praised by critics. His main instruments are alto and soprano saxophone
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
s, but he also plays tenor
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
and baritone saxophone
Baritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
s. His collection of instruments include a Vintage Buescher straight-soprano saxophone (in his possession for over 25 years), which he plays with a Claude Lakey 7* mouth piece, and given to him by his professor over 30 years ago, a Vintage Selmer Mark VI
Selmer Mark VI
The Selmer Mark VI is a professional model saxophone that is generally considered the Selmer Company's finest saxophone. Although tastes in saxophones differ the Mk VI design is universally regarded as one of the best saxophone models ever produced by any manufacturer...
alto saxophone that he plays with a Eugene Russeau Jazz metal mouth piece #9. For reeds he uses Rico Royal and La Voz.
Biography
Hamilton was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico.After a long career as a professional musician in the genre of Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and Latin Jazz
Latin jazz
Latin jazz is the general term given to jazz with Latin American rhythms.The three main categories of Latin Jazz are Brazilian, Cuban and Puerto Rican:# Brazilian Latin Jazz includes bossa nova...
, touring all over the world as the lead Alto Sax player for artists such as El Maestro Tito Puente
Tito Puente
Tito Puente, , born Ernesto Antonio Puente, was a Latin jazz and Salsa musician. The son of native Puerto Ricans Ernest and Ercilia Puente, of Spanish Harlem in New York City, Puente is often credited as "El Rey de los Timbales" and "The King of Latin Music"...
and Giovanni Hidalgo; as well as performing with internationally well known artists such as Sammy Davis Jr., Hilton Ruiz
Hilton Ruiz
Hilton Ruiz was a Puerto Rican American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talented bebop player....
, Red Rodney, among others; and after a long career in the Salsa genre as the Musical Director for artists such as Marvin Santiago
Marvin Santiago
Marvin Santiago was a Puerto Rican salsa singer who became famous all across Latin America during the 1970s. He was also a part-time comedian on Puerto Rican television. His brother, Billiván Santiago, had some success in Puerto Rico as a plena singer.- Early life :Santiago was born in San Juan...
, Domingo Quiñones and Andy Montañez
Andy Montañez
Andrés Montañez , better known as Andy Montañez, is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico.-Early life:Montañez, like singer Daniel Santos and boxer Ossie Ocasio, is a native of the Tras Talleres area of Santurce San Juan. He is known by the nickname "El Godfather de la Salsa"...
among otherst, in 1989 recording artist Jazz Hamilton launched his solo career performing in France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Central and South America, The Caribbean, throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In 1990 he recorded his first solo album on the genre of Jazz titled Solar Rain. After the good reception of that album he recorded the albums Fantasy, Love In D Minor and Inolvidable.
In 2000 he released in Europe the tour for the concert Hamilton y Las Estrellas Del Pueblo, a concept created by Jazz Hamilton which resurrects the Traditional Salsa rhythms and styles of the 60's, 70's, 80's, and early 90's. Working with original compositions from known composers of these eras, he enriched the harmony of each of the compositions with his own original musical arrangements, while keeping the essence of the thematic written by its original composers.
In 2004 the concept was enhanced and a tour was launched in 2004-2005 to cover Puerto Rico, Latin America and Florida.
In 2006 recording artist Jazz Hamilton became the Executive Producer for the TV Talk Show Elizabeth En Tu Agenda presented by his wife, Elizabeth Hernandez, which broadcast weekly on 3 different networks including Telemundo
Telemundo
Telemundo is an American television network that broadcasts in Spanish. The network is the second-largest Spanish-language content producer in the world, and the second-largest Spanish-language network in the United States, behind Univision....
in the large Central Florida
Central Florida
Central Florida is a regional designation for the area surrounding Orlando in east central Florida, United States. The area represents the third largest population concentration in Florida, after the South Florida and Tampa Bay regions, respectively....
market.
In 2008 the album Hamilton Y Las Estrellas Del Pueblo was released. Reviews by Latin Lady DJ Margarita stated that “If you've ever wondered what it would have been like to experience the "Salsa Explosion" first-hand, then wonder no more! Jazz Hamilton y Las Estrellas Del Pueblo, deliver a heavy duty dose of... Salsa Gorda! "Relive" with this cd, as well as their DVD, the heart and soul of what the 70's in New York were all about... Salsa Clasica! On this endeavor you will be treated to a collection of well known favorites, as well as some new and original arrangements, along with an amazing list of guest vocalists. The list is truly incredible, the result is simply satisfying!”. Review by Bruce Polin states that ”...you'll arrive at a kick-butt live salsa explosion featuring an ocean of salsa superstars.”
Also in 2008 his CD My Soul was featured on the cover and main story page of Latin Beat Magazine
Latin Beat Magazine
The Latin Beat Magazine is a publication dedicated to all styles of Latin music, edited and published by Rudolph and Yvette Mangual. The first issue was launched on January 1, 1991...
, August edition (titled Jazz Hamilton born to play jazz in the land of Salsa). His execution and work have been praised by critics such as Paul J Youngman as "Way out there", "A virtuoso". In 2009 he released his first Christmas CD Smooth Holidays.