Jazz drummer to play Richmond benefit concert

A Richmond High School graduate who became a renowned jazz drummer will play a benefit concert for the Reid Center.

Jeff Hamilton will appear with the Jeff Hamilton Trio and popular jazz pianist Carol Lou Woodward for a 7 p.m. show Sept. 27 in the Reid Center, 1004 N. A St., Richmond, the former Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church turned cultural performance center. Tickets are $40 and available at reidcenter.org/tickets.

Hamilton has toured with his jazz trio since 1995 and performed on more than 300 recordings. He has played with the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney and Monty Alexander. Hamilton also has toured extensively with Diana Krall and played on her albums.

Hamilton has also performed with Woodward, who came to Richmond in 1958. He was part of the Carol Lou Trio that performed at Dinnie’s Restaurant and Lounge, and they performed together at Richmond Jazz Festivals during the 1980s.

Woodward came to Richmond in 1958 and played locally with Richmond Civic Theatre, First Presbyterian Church, Dinnie’s and elsewhere for decades before moving to Florida in recent years.

The benefit will also feature video appearances from two other RHS alums who have become famous drummers, Harold Jones and Joe Hunt.