“[Jimmy Hamilton] usually manages anything musical that he sets his mind to, and there, I think, is the key to any attempt at describing him. He has the capacity to discipline himself and the diligence to study in order to learn. He practices endlessly and scarcely ever gets away from the school rules. You might say that he is a tutor-rooter, and a credit to his tutor!”
– Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress
The recordings heard on this podcast episode:
Progressive Gavotte (CD: “Duke Ellington: The Columbia Years 1927-1962” Columbia 5176872)
Recorded 11 November 1947, New York City
Shelton Hemphill, Dud Bascomb, Francis Williams, Ray Nance, Harold Baker – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Tyree Glenn – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Billy Strayhorn – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Oscar Pettiford – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
Duet –
The One that Got Away – Charlie Shavers – trumpet; Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Don Byas – tenor sax; Red Norvo – vibraphone; Billy Strayhorn – piano; Remo Palmeiri – guitar; Sonny Greer – drums.
Take the “A” Train (CD: “Duke Ellington at the Hollywood Empire,” Storyville 101 8346)
Recorded 10 February 1949, Empire Club Broadcast, Hollywood, California
Shelton Hemphill, Al Killian, Francis Williams, Harold Baker, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Tyree Glenn, Quentin Jackson – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Wendell Marshall – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
Air Conditioned Jungle –
Recorded 1 September 1945, New York City
Cat Anderson, Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Claude Jones – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Russell Procope, Al Sears, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
The Tattooed Bride (CD: “The Great Concerts, Cornell University 1948,” Nimbus Records, Ni-2727)
Recorded 10 December 1948, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Shelton Hemphill, Al Killian, Francis Williams, Ray Nance, Harold Baker – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Quentin Jackson, Tyree Glenn – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Wendell Marshall – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing (CD: “The Complete Capitol Recordings of Duke Ellington” Mosaic Records MD5-160)
Recorded 17 June 1954, New York City
Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Ray Nance – trumpet; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Rick Henderson, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Wendell Marshall – bass; Dave Black – drums-
— Our closing music —-
It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)
Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City
Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.