Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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HAMILTON, Jimmy

(b 25 May '17, Dillon SC; d 20 Sep. '94, St Croix) Clarinet. Studied piano, trumpet, trombone; settled on reeds. Worked for Lucky Millinder, Teddy Wilson, etc then Duke Ellington '43-68. Led own group, moved to the Virgin Islands; continued playing and teaching, working with Mercer Ellington early '80s. Highly valued soloist with Duke, also playing tenor sax; "Artie Shaw's rival for the loveliest clarinet sound in big band music' (G. Giddins). Featured with Ellington on '52 recording of "The Mooche'; also on "Air-Conditioned Jungle', "V.I.P.'s Boogie', "Smada', "Flippant Flurry', introduction to "Newport Suite' at Newport Jazz Festival '58, many more. As leader, tracks for Blue Note '45, United/States '53 (some with Della Reese), Urania '54 (now on Fresh Sounds CD), an album for Everest '60, It's About Time and Can't Help Swingin' on Prestige Swingville '61. He came out of retirement to play in Broadway show Sophisticated Ladies '81 and Clarinet Summit concert '82 with Alvin Batiste, John Carter, David Murray (two albums s on India Navigation plus Southern Belles on Black Saint); quartet Rediscovered At The Buccaneer '85.