Kevin Hamilton: A serious player in life, jazz

Jazz is about humanity.

Its performance is very personal to the player. While it has structure, its uniqueness is derived in large part from one of its basic elements: improvisation.

To improvise is to add your own touch, your own idea of how the music at hand should be interpreted and expressed. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for a cold, unfeeling person to be good at jazz. He or she just would not connect with bandmates or the audience.

Kevin Hamlton connects.

I've known the extraordinary string bass player for nearly 20 years now and he is as human as they come. His mild manner belies a steely approach to his instrument, a foundational one whose basic mission is to keep time.

The bass sets the pace, especially in the trio format, the basic jazz unit and the one in which Kevin seems most comfortable. His most regular gig these days is four nights at Charleston Grill, plucking, strumming and bowing for three different three-piece ensembles.

He's proficient at all the forms from slow, sweet syncopations of Brazilian music to crisp, staccato bebop notes to smooth, even use of the bow on ballads. On solos, he often moves into playing melody on his rhythm instrument.

When his left hand is up high on the neck of the big fiddle, he thunders like a musical earthquake; and when he moves it down the neck, coming very close to his right hand while it plucks the soundboard, he sings like a bird, coaxing sweet sounds from the largest instrument in the band. While in this position, he's closer than at any other time to becoming one with his instrument.

As he hugs the huge hunk of wood, it's beautiful to watch. His stance widens and he leans over to manipulate the strings. At the same time, the instrument leans on him. Pure balance. Creativity in motion.

When he's through with his individual expression, he gradually rights his gait, looks at his bandmates, signaling he's ready for them to rejoin him in their collective effort.

When he's playing with familiar partners in time, it's almost telepathic, not just chemistry. It's a bond. I've seen him do it a million times and it never ceases to amaze me.

I also enjoy Kevin's conversation. I probably talk with him more than any other musician about nonmusical subjects. He's curious, articulate and a serious student of life. Of course, we talk about music, but he's more interested in musicians.

He has many interests and he articulates them so well, another thing I like so much about him.

I'm older than he is; and he respects me and the things I've learned about life. So he's always asking about such. I've learned to tell that he uses this information to better his understanding of himself and his music.

He loves food and wine. He reads voraciously. I can't count the number of subject areas we've gone over in all those informal talks at bars, backstage, in the car and at the table.

While he's completely serious about life and his craft, he doesn't take himself too seriously. I'm sure he has peaks and valleys, just like all the rest of us, but you would never know it. His quick, endearing smile and his insightful, witty sense of humor are his salient characteristics.

He's continued to grow ever since I've known him. He sounds better and better all the time.

Kevin is one of the most elegant human beings I know.

Listen to his music and you'll know what I mean.

(Other) Jazz matters

--The Associated Press reported Tuesday that a U.S. Mint quarter featuring a likeness of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was released Jan. 26 and celebrated in Duke's hometown, Washington, D.C. Tuesday. The event was held at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Ellington, whose music was featured in a November concert by the Charleston Jazz Orchestra at the Charleston Music Hall, is an iconic performer, composer and bandleader. He consistently used musicians from South Carolina over the course of his seven-decade career.

He is the first African American to be prominently shown on a U.S. coin. The report said Ellington beat out designs featuring abolitionist Frederick Douglass and astronomer Benjamin Banneker. Prior to the Ellington quarter, the only U.S. coin to show a black person was a 2003 Missouri state coin that depicted explorers Lewis and Clark with an enslaved African named York, the story said.

Duke, who died in 1974, is still soloing.

--For a schedule of live jazz in the Charleston area visit www.jazzartistsofcharleston.org. Bands and venues wishing to get listed can do so at the site.

Jack McCray, author of "Charleston Jazz," can be reached at jackjmccray@aol.com.