Monday, February 22, 2010

Holy City Jazz: Kevin Hamilton

On a rainy evening at Sermet’s Corner, Kevin Hamilton relaxed at the bar with both arms crossed upon the table. As he sat up, he raised his glass of refined red wine and he began to describe what jazz is. Hamilton explained, “Jazz is like learning a language. In a language, different words are formed to lead into the result of what you want to say. Jazz is similar. As different sounds and emotions are expressed, they come together to create the harmonies we call music.”

So, how does one get into the realm of playing jazz? For Hamilton, it was fate. Kevin Hamilton started playing the electric bass in college but soon fell in love with the double bass when he and fellow friends, Quentin Baxter, Lee Barbour, Charlton Singleton, and Clay Ross started their band called The Gradual Lean. Hamilton stated with enthusiasm, “I picked up the double bass and realized how wonderful jazz sounded to me. I have more of a relationship with my double bass than I ever had with the electric bass. Double bass is the most important instrument in the band, yet it is humble as it plays in the background behind the other instruments up front. I have a strong connection with how the instrument is played and feel it represents me.”

Hamilton started performing jazz with The Gradual Lean close to 20 years ago. The musicians used to play every Tuesday at Mezzane, which is now Sermet’s Corner. The band is a formation of original, spontaneous sounds of jazz. Hamilton became popular through The Gradual Lean and continues to play at venues downtown Charleston and surrounding locations. At one of the Mobil Four Star restaurants in Charleston, Hamilton plays routinely at the Charleston Grill.

“Kevin is such of an amazing player and inspiration to me. I love working with him. He is very talented.” said Brazilian singer and guitarist Duda Lucena. Hamilton and Lucena along with Baxter play every Wednesday at the Charleston Grill. Bossa Nova, which in Portuguese means “new trend”, is an influence of jazz from Brazil. In Charleston, there have been over 40 shows played by Hamilton, Lucena, and Baxter outside of the Charleston Grill in the past 2 years.

Quentin Baxter also talked passionately about Hamilton’s talent as well as his personality. He exclaimed, “Kevin Hamilton is definitely one of the most rock-solid & dependable bassists in the region! His extreme dedication and hard work has matured him to become a musical virtuoso, uninhibited by style or genre. A world-class musician and wonderful human being.”

Hamilton is still with his jazz combo, The Gradual Lean, and is making efforts to continue to perform with his band that began his first years of playing jazz in Charleston. As a monthly reunion, the Gradual Lean is making a combat to revitalize jazz in Charleston. By keeping the music thriving, Hamilton with Quentin Baxter and Lee Barbour as well has other members of Gradual Lean are currently expanding on big bands. Hamilton continues to play around and downtown Charleston. Look for his jazz playing in local bars and restaurants, including the Charleston Grill.

Photo credits: Pricilla Thomas Courtsey of Jazz Artists of Charleston

No comments:

Post a Comment