“Great Scott” - documentary about jazz saxophonist Scott Hamilton

“Great Scott” is a documentary interview about the career of jazz saxophonist Scott Hamilton. In his characteristic Jack Nicholson type of voice, Hamilton talks about his love of music and his choice for the tenor sax.
Hamilton reminisces about the start of his career in New York, how he was discovered and how this eventually led to world-wide fame. He offers us an inside view into his jazz world, talking openly and unpretentiously about his profession, his ambitions, jazz in general, innovation, the changing audience and, of course, his horn.
In each country where he performs, Hamilton works through a local manager, like Brian Peerless in Engeland and Kristian Leth in Scandinavia. Jerry Steyger has been Hamilton’s man in the Netherlands for 25 years; they have known each other for 38 years. During a tour in 2013, Steyger had organised an interview session, having arranged for a location as well as professional equipment. Unfortunately, the equipment broke down during the interview, so everything had to be recorded with a small camera. With the assistance of friends and fans the present video document was put together. Steyger asked his buddy jazz trumpeter Michael Varekamp to conduct the interview. After all, the best person to interview a jazz musician is a jazz musician. And the best spot is of course a jazz club, where else!
The interview starts early in the morning of 7 March 2013. The previous night, Hamilton and Steyger had returned late from a concert in Belgium. Hamilton had to get up early for the interview and he was scheduled to perform later that day at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam. Nevertheless, he took on the interview and the present video is the result of it.
Jerry Steyger: Scott is a modest person who tends to play down his musical capabilities. But I have heard him play many times and he never fails to surprise me. To me, his music is art in its truest sense. When he performs in the Netherlands, I am usually present at his concerts. Sometimes, people ask me if I never get tired of listening to him. My answer is always the same: “Imagine you’re a contemporary of Rembrandt or Leonardo da Vinci and you’re given the opportunity to see them paint, what would you do?”
Credits Great Scott
“Willow Weep For Me”
Jazz At The Philharmonic, 1957
“Little Jazz” Roy Eldridge-trumpet
Oscar Peterson-piano
Herb Ellis-guitar
Ray Brown-bass
Joe Jones-drums
“Undecided”
Television series Peter Appleyard Presents, 1997
Peter Appleyard introduces Scott Hamilton at 22 years of age
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Scott is backed up by clarinettist Allistair Lauries’ Jazz Connection
Recorded in Toronto, Canada
“Perdido”
The American All Stars, 1995
Warren Vaché-cornet
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Jimmy Cleveland-trombone
John Bunch-piano
Bucky Pizzarelli-guitar
Jeff Fuller-bass
Jake Hanna-drums
Recorded at: Jazz Special, Germany
“Airmail Special”
Benny Goodman At the North Sea Jazz Festival, 1982
Benny Goodman-clarinet
John Bunch-piano
Chris Flory-guitar
Warren Vaché-cornet
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Phil Flanigan-bass
Mel Lewis-drums
Recorded: July 1982 at the North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague, the Netherlands
“Will You Still Be Mine”
Rosemary Clooney at the North Sea Jazz Festival, 1981
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Al Cohn-tenor sax
Warren Vaché-cornet, flugelhorn
Jake Hanna-drums
Cal Collins-guitar
Dave McKenna-piano
Bob Maize-bass
Recorded: July 1981, North Sea Jazz Festival, The Hague, the Netherlands
“But Not For Me”
The Ruby Braff/George Barnes Quartet live in Berlin in 1974
"Star Eyes"
Scott Hamilton & Léah Kline & Laurens'B at The 12th Floor, 2015
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Léah Kline-vocals
Dirk vd Linden-guitar
Alain van Zeveren-Hammond organ
Laurant Mercier-drums
Recording: Michel Devos
Recorded: 21 September 2015, The 12th Floor, Antwerp, Belgium,
“Let´s Dance”
Doctor Bernard and the Swing Orchestra, Zoetermeer Jazz Festival, 2011
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Bernard Berkhout-clarinet
Loet van der Lee, Michael Varekamp, Thomas Welvaadt-trumpets
Markus Glas, Jack Coenen-trombones
Bert Brandsma, Piet Keizer, Hans Goemans, Erik van der Weijden-reeds
Mark van der Feen-piano
Hans Voogt-guitar
Frans Bouwmeester-bas
Dolf Helge-drums
Mirjam van Dam-vocals
Recorded: September 2011, Zoetermeer Jazz Festival, the Netherlands
''No Moon at All''
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Andrea Pozza-piano
“Blue Kaper”
Scott Hamilton in concert at Bimhuis, Amsterdam, 2013
Scott Hamilton-tenor sax
Rein de Graaff-piano
Marius Beets-bass
Eric Ineke-drums
Recorded: 7 March 2013, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The Great Scott interview was recorded @ Jazz and Blues Sociëteit Engels, The Hague, The Netherlands, on 7 March 2013
Michael Varekamp-interview
Jerry Steyger-camera
Marc Muijzer-sound
Gert Leuring-introduction footage
Special advisors:
Bert de Kort
Tom Stuip
Many thanks to Kees Broekhof

Produced by Jerry Steyger
www.ScottHamiltonSax.com

[@stevesmith3033]

I bet he can do a spot on Jack Nicholson impression!

[@aboversite]

Thank you Scott for your great work with Joan Chamorro's stable of brilliant young musicians like Andrea Motis, Carla Motis, Eva Fernandez, Rita Payes etc,etc.

[@felicienforgues2311]

I'm listening to this doco to see if he'll mention the Chamorro group in Barcelona!

[@robertvanruyssevelt7159]

@@felicienforgues2311 this was recorded in 2013

[@JamesG1126]

Scott said he couldn't think of any good young players. I wonder how he'd answer that question today. Joan Chamorro's students are fantastic.

[@corvandermey4172]

Intersting to hear from Scott that he likes jazz standards. A lot of modern jazz musicians think this is inferior jazz music. This is bullsit. Jazz standards are like classical music, they are timeless, beautiful songs which will be appreciated all the time.

[@DevonDandy]

Quite so. The American Song Book has no equal in popular music for great melodic lines and intelligent lyrics - vastly superior to the wailing and thumping noises from the commercial pop of of today. and easy to digest in jazz extemporizations.

[@paxwallace8324]

Geez Cor that's not the jazz world I live in also it's not what Pat Matheny reports. At this point it's pretty much all Standards as far as I can tell if you include Jazz Standards but original jazz or highly original voices seems to be on the decline. I mean bands like Phronesis are pretty rare. But I love Mr Hamiltons playing.

[@30Bushey]

an individualist who has the courage to go his own way. And a very good way it is.

[@rogeriocusin4045]

It was a very good interview, I love to hear Scott Hamilton play, the way he plays is amazing, musicians like him are sadly endangered.

[@kurttoy5035]

Scott Hamilton is in a class by himself!

[@robbriner9575]

I’m a year older than Scott Hamilton and first heard him play in the mid-1980s. My dad (who was born in 1927 and attended concerts until his death in 2019) dug him and that was good enough for me. I’ve recently been watching archival interviews of jazz musicians on KZbin to update my knowledge of and appreciation for classic swing and improvisation - qualities that have been slowly diminishing over the past 70 years. I attended a SoCal jazz concert three years ago where Scott was on the bill and heard that his current home base is in Italy. On his horn he’s natural and confident; speaking in a conversation he’s on the dour side. Most working jazz musicians seem to be hard-bitten, perhaps because their life is an unending series of gigs (that have recently been curtailed by COVID-19).

[@guitargod6997]

I used to see Scott back in the day before he moved to NY. Talking the early Seventies. You just knew on hearing Scott play a couple of tunes that he was the real deal and going places in jazz. He was serious from day one and smooth as silk.

[@jackjohnhameld6401]

It is a delight and privilege to hear Scott Hamilton playing with Joan Chamorro and friends.

[@danchisholm1]

Scott, I wish you would do a West Coast tour. You are the great of this generation. And when my wife and I talk about leaving California for a few years and doing a stint in Western Europe to work and live you are one of the selling points.

[@jackgates6949]

Outstanding! Scott Hamilton is a treasure. We in the states are poorer not to have him.

[@nononouh]

He's not in US?

[@jackgates6949]

@@nononouh Scott moved to France permanently several years ago.

[@renatogoyzuetasaenz]

i listen your music Scott !!!! great !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rcpmac]

So important that this documentary about Scott Hamilton was produced and is available. Interesting and important musical history. Joan Chamorro and the group are fortunate to have him onboard to perhaps pass the torch. Thank You!

[@GaylordBuzzard]

His work with Rosemary Clooney was so special.

[@kayserbondor]

I used to wonder where the next generation of tenor players would come from until I heard Scott Hamilton on a Tokyo recording of Blue Lester around the end of the 70's. Didn't need to worry anymore.

[@DevonDandy]

It must give Scott great joy that the kids of Sant Andreu don't think of the standards as being old fashioned, they just get on study it and play it. Greato see that clip of Rosemary Clooney in full flow

[@ronaldciccone260]

Amazing Scott Has A Brilliant Past, Great Life, Most Of The Time You Dont Get What You Want.

[@buitenkliniek]

Didn't know Varenkamp was such a good interviewer!

[@myrtosgang]

Nice guy and great sax player, met him at the Zoetermeerjazz festival with laura fygi

[@janberings7743]

I had hoped to learn more about his sax, reeds and mouthpieces through the years. And the fun or dark side of his travelling from hotel to hotel (without a family?) Hè is my nowadays favourite. The best.

[@geosekiro324]

Scott is a inspiration to me. I like his work and style. He’s a great jazz artist and musician, glad to have him to look up to.

[@jimgudeman4127]

wow, I loved it.

[@robertduis6730]

Michael & Jerry > Thanks a lot for this super interview with a combination of video-music about a real super-star => Scott Hamilton.

[@masonhoward8487]

Super happy I found this video I love all if Mr Hamiltons work with Joan Chamoro and his students

[@SWINGDOG2009]

Great interview. Revealing picture of a wonderful musician.

[@oyamakyokushin3817]

Increible y hermosa musica 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@hansharold]

Thanks for the video- really enjoyed it!

[@levonalexanian7147]

What a great player

[@ChampianFulton]

Such an interesting interview! Thank you!

[@sopranomadness894]

Great interview, thank you. Some valuable lessons there!

[@DevonDandy]

What a great voice Scott has, be good on the sound track of a Western!

[@jerrysteyger6853]

I will discuss that the next time I see him.

[@gusgstratton8977]

Great interview of a most wonderful talent!! Now that you mention his voice, sounds somewhat like Jack Nicholson.

[@egassi1027]

K. Does he ever sound like Jack Nicholson!

[@paxwallace8324]

I like his playing now more than that clip from the 70s

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

met scot a couple of times in the uk great player straight from the lester young zoot simms webster school ,, on sight reading i can read but i read sax music the same as scot i learn by listening to records i think people who are chained to the dots get to sound souless ,, my oppinion btw ,,, lots of snobbery among jazz musicians ,, a famouse sax man told me just paint a picture with your music ,make it your own ,,, and that is how i play

[@Veaseify]

Thats a good attitude, there's too much worrying about 'technique' in all forms of music. Technique just allows you to express yourself, attaining it isn't an end in itself. Charlie Parker said he practiced 12 hours a day when he was younger so that he didn't have to think about anything when he was on stage as an adult, so its still hard work!

[@mikemoore6151]

I totally agree. That's been true for me. I've listened to jazz my whole life, played a little sax in high school, Scott was one of my favorites, but I pursued the clarinet... played only 'serious' music in orchestras and quintets for 30 years. I always felt chained to the dots. That's a really good way to put it. So, when I put the clarinet down four years ago to care for aging parents, I decided that when I returned to music that I'd only play by ear and only play tenor for at least two years. This has given me a chance to break those habits and, as you say, make it my own. Like Scott said, 'it's just music, it's all music'.

[@vitorrenato984]

Could you please add subtitles to the video?

[@janberings7743]

Good interview . However would hve liked to know: which sax, reeds and mouthpiece

[@IRACEMABABU]

There are tons of videos who speak about all that, and 99% of them don't talk one second about music the way he did.

[@allanbirmantas1695]

Scott, how can you not mention Stan Getz? Not even one time, and you play a lot like him.

[@redinhodaflauta1269]

I remember when the BBC Radio invited him to pick an hours worth of music and the very 1st record he played was from "The Oscar Peterson Trio Meets Stan Getz" saying of the track and, in particular Getz's performance that he chose {"Pennies From Heaven"}, was the most perfect saxophone solo he had ever heard.

[@nononouh]

26:00, 45:00-54