Bursting with joyful energy as soon as he walked into the KNKX Seattle studios, pianist Tamir Hendelman had all of us excited in no time. By the end of his three-song performance, our studio audience were left grateful for this chance to see a perennial sideman take the lead
Hendelman grew up in Tel Aviv, Israel, but moved to California at 12 where he developed his reputation as a young talent to watch. Despite temptations to work in the film and television industry that surrounded him, Hendelman focused on jazz.
Working with singers at a tiny L.A. bar attracted the attention of drummer Jeff Hamilton, and he was soon joining Hamilton's trio and later the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. These two bands keep Tamir busy enough, but he also finds plenty of time for teaching, currently with Kenny Burrell's faculty at USC.
In the Northwest, Tamir lent his knowledge to a series of jazz workshops, and played with the jazz band at Mountlake Terrace High School as well as a pair of trio concerts. We know you'll enjoy this rare session from a pianist who's at least as exciting in the spotlight as he is working with Hamilton and singing stars Roberta Gambarini and Barbra Streisand.
Tamir's trio includes longtime collaborator Alex Frank on bass and the talented Dean Koba on drums.