Album Notes

This is a special limited US edition of Tamir's debut CD, originally released in Japan in July 2008. Joined by the ace rhythm section of bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, Tamir explores music by Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen and Herbie Hancock and presents a handful of colorful originals.

Tamir has led his own trio for the last decade, while touring and recording with the Jeff Hamilton Trio (since 2000) and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (since 2001) in the US, Europe and Japan. He has performed with saxophonists James Moody, Houston Person and Teddy Edwards; recorded, arranged and toured with jazz vocalists Roberta Gambarini, Jackie Ryan and Greta Matassa and recently recorded on Natalie Cole's "Still Unforgettable" and on an upcoming release by Barbra Streisand.

Jazz writer Chuck Berg had this to say of a recent performance of the music in "Playground": "Hendelman's music, although as complex as anything in jazz, nontheless possesses a down-to-earth accessibility that grabs musicians and nonmusicians alike... Another of the pianist's attributes is his unwavering intensity. Regardless of tempos or texture, Hendelman's improvisational lines let loose dramatic and musical surprises everywhere."

Judith Schlesinger, All About Jazz: "Tamir's reputation for superb arranging and piano playing has grown exponentially in the past decade."

One of Tamir's most special memories was in 2001, when he joined the CHJO and performed Oscar Peterson's Canadiana Suite at the Hollywood Bowl with the maestro present. In his web journal of September 10, 2001 Oscar Peterson wrote: "As I sat in the wings, I was exhilarated to hear this different and thoughtful reading of my compositions... I must single out some wonderful and creative solo segments by a young pianist named Tamir Hendelman. It was a satisfying feeling to follow the various tunes and then suddenly hear a new young voice make some exhilarating and thoughtful solos in the spaces that I used to occupy in those pieces. I was not only pleased to hear this invigorating performance of my work, but also refreshed by the inventive passages provided by Tamir. I look forward to hearing more from him."