28th February 2023: Linley Hamilton to release new album – ‘Ginger’s Hollow’ – May 26 on CD / DL / LP
We are delighted to welcome trumpeter, composer, BBC Radio Host, professor and promoter Linley Hamilton to Whirlwind Recordings – our first Irish signing – to release Ginger’s Hollow, dropping this May.
Linley Hamilton – trumpet
Derek Doc O’Connor – tenor sax
Cian Boylan – piano/organ
Mark Egan – bass
Adam Nussbaum – drums
Linley Hamilton’s legendary hospitality has been enjoyed by a growing cohort of international jazz musicians whenever they visit at his Magy’s Farm venue-cum-homestead deep in his native Ulster within sight of the mountains of Morne in Northern Ireland. His tireless efforts as a promoter, BBC Radio 3 host, educator and all round champion of the music are so effective that his main gig as a trumpeter and composer is sometimes overlooked.
Ginger’s Hollow places Linley the musician back in the spotlight where he belongs, at the helm of a transatlantic team to present an album of pure musical good vibes. Under his leadership, Dublin-based pianist/composer Cian Boylan and first call session saxophonist Derek ‘Doc’ O’Connor are reunited with US legends Adam Nussbaum on drums and Pat Metheny/Gil Evans sideman Mark Egan on bass, and the mutual respect and sheer good fellowship that they share comes through loud and clear in this set of original tunes with the emphasis on openness, accessibility, and positivity.
‘Shinebox’ sets out the stall – named by Nussbaum, it places the classic hard bop trumpet/tenor frontline over a joyous backbeat, with dramatic organ swells bolstering the horn solos as the drums lay it down. ‘Adam’s a joy to tour with and he occupies the kit like a big praying mantis! Such a groove, but so aware of the dynamic contour at all times: he and Mark lead from the rhythm section when we’re together’.
‘Sunday Morning’ was written by Cian in the studio and recorded by the band in a take. It’s a big-hearted soul stomper, with Linley and Doc revisiting their days in The Commitments section and trading phrases. ‘Stonky’ is another Cian original with a quirky melody given a deep sense of fun by Nussbaum’s infectious groove. ‘We’re not playing for critics here – we’re playing for each other and for the audiences – I don’t think it’s a bad thing that the punters can enjoy the music.’
‘Ginger’s Hollow’ is a heartfelt tribute to a beloved farm cat that Linley cared for until his untimely demise, now enshrined in memory with Cian’s lush Fender Rhodes under Linley’s soaring melody. Nussbaum has a chance to visit his favourite New Orleans shuffle for ‘Place At The Ace’ and the yearning, tranquil ‘Jason’s Place’ was written as a memorial to a tragic loss for Cian’s family, underscoring what a deeply personal project this is for all involved. ‘Lost On The Crowd’ is a Linley composition – ‘I wanted something that introduced some angularity and this was it!’. Finally, Doc tears it up over the Brasilian flavoured closer ‘Watch Those Eyes’ ‘ Doc is a beast! He’s been my best friend since I was 26. It’s like a love affair whenever we’re together’.
These recordings capture the warmth and empathy the band feel for each other, for their listeners, and for the music that unites them: ‘For me music isn’t about what you play so much as how you make people feel – we’re playing with them and for them, not to them or at them! That’s the same on the bandstand as it is for the audience. If you come to see us on tour, you’ll see us carrying on like we’ve won the Lotto. It’s lovely working with Whirlwind because they’re a great team, and everything I do is about teamwork.’
Tour dates:
3 May – CQAF, Belfast
4 May – Camden Studios, Dublin
5 May – Tea Rooms, Carrick En Suir
6 May – Magy’s Farm, Co.Down
7 May – Limerick Jazz Society Dolan’s, Limerick
Ginger’s Hollow will be available on DL / CD / LP and released May 26 – stay tuned for more updates…