Andy Hamilton (jazz saxophonist)
Andy Hamilton Port Maria, Jamaica | |
|---|---|
| Died | 3 June 2012 (aged 94) United Kingdom |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instrument(s) | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1940s–2000s |
| Labels | World Circuit |
Andy Raphael Thomas Hamilton, MBE (26 March 1918 – 3 June 2012) was a Jamaican-born British jazz saxophonist and composer who migrated to the UK in 1949. He recorded his debut album in his early 70s.
Biography
Early years
Hamilton was born in Port Maria, Jamaica, and learnt to play saxophone on a bamboo instrument. He formed his first band in 1928 with friends who played oil drums and Hamilton a bamboo sax, influenced by American musicians such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie and by the Kingston-based bands of Redver Cook and Roy Coburn.
He spent some time in the U.S., working as a cook and farm labourer, but also having short jazz residencies in Buffalo and Syracuse, New York. After returning to Jamaica, he worked as musical arranger for Errol Flynn at his hotel The Titchfield, and on his yacht the Zaka.
Migration to the UK
Hamilton emigrated to the UK in 1949, arriving as a stowaway
Late career
In 1988 EndBoards Production produced a documentary called 'Silver Shine' about Andy Hamilton's migration to the UK and the hurdles experienced in growing his music career, the changing musical taste of Windrush generation and their descendents. The documentary features Andy's Band the Blue Notes with lead vocalist Ann Scott; his first youth band The Blue Pearls, Tony Sykes, Millicent Stephenson nee Lindsay, his children Graeme[2] and Mark.
Having recovered from a diabetic coma in 1986, he celebrated his 70th birthday in 1988 playing at his regular venue, The Bear, and the gig was reviewed in
Hamilton continued to play, teach and promote music even as he approached his 94th birthday. He died peacefully on 3 June 2012.[5]
Awards and honors
In 1996 Hamilton was awarded an Honorary Master of Arts degree by
He was appointed
On 30 January 2008, a few weeks before his 90th birthday, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the
The centenary of Hamilton's birth, and his continuing legacy, was celebrated at Birmingham Town Hall, with a concert featuring The Notebenders Big Band and guests.[6]
The Birmingham Jazz venue Bearwood Corks Club was rebranded in 2012 as the Silvershine Jazz Club after Andy's most notable album Silvershine.[7]
Discography
As leader
- Silvershine (World Circuit, 1991)
- Jamaica by Night (World Circuit, 1994)
- Late and Live (Burton, 1997)
References
- ^ a b Val Wilmer, Andy Hamilton obituary, The Guardian, 11 June 2012.
- ^ Graeme Hamilton. "Graeme Hamilton | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Jon Lusk, "Andy Hamilton: Saxophonist, composer and bandleader who found fame late in his career", The Independent, 21 June 2012.
- ^ Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes — Bearwood Corks Club page.
- ^ "Jazz saxophonist Andy Hamilton dies". BBC News. 29 December 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Andy Hamilton Centenary Celebration announced". The Birmingham Press. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "Silvershine Jazz Club, Bearwood - About Us".
External links
- Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, & Brian Priestley. Jazz: The Rough Guide. ISBN 1-85828-528-3
- Andy Hamilton — brief biography by John Bush for Allmusic
- Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes — Bearwood Corks Club page
- "My life of Jazz" — BBC page
- Central TV Documentary 'Silver Shine'
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