Philip Hamilton

Philip Hamilton is one of the most captivating voices in music today. The New York Times calls this inventive vocalist/composer “contemporary and cutting-edge” for his explosive recordings and performances. Hamilton has a voice that displays a combination of majesty, power and intimacy like Nina Simone and Bob Marley. His music is a funky layered blend of rock, jazz and blues with global grooves and sensibilities that is reminiscent of Massive Attack, Sting and Stevie Wonder.

Hamilton has brought his distinctive sound to many of the world’s leading concert halls and music festivals, including New York’s Lincoln Center, Indonesia’s Java Jazz festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Kaunas Jazz in Lithuania and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

He has performed and recorded with many notable artists from various genres including Jazz (Mike Stern, the Pat Metheny Group, Ronny Jordan), World Music (Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, Sara Tavares), Rock (Donald Fagan/Steely Dan, Vernon Reid), Dance (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico) Classical (John Cage, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Tobias String Quartet) and the Jam Band scene (John Medeski, Billy Martin, Medeski, Martin & Wood). He has also been the featured vocalist for several prominent jazz fusion groups throughout his career including Spyro Gyra, Steps Ahead, Special EFX, Sixun and Full Circle.

Hamilton is currently booking....

1. AN EVENING WITH PHILIP HAMILTON
Hamilton and his ensemble present an evening of original and non-original works that feature his unique vocal style and dynamic performances that rock the house, soothe the soul and open hearts and minds. The ensemble varies from duos & trios to larger bands in accordance with the venue, promoter and budget. The Village Voice noted, “Hamilton’s masterful voice…presented a tapestry of vocal and musical wonders”.


2. VOICES/VOCALSCAPES
VOICES/VOCALSCAPES is a unique vocal odyssey that fuses vocal styles from around the world and around the corner. This is a captivating production that is ancient, intimate, explosive and entertaining. This genre-bending show, with a cast of international vocalists from around the world, was crowned “one of the stars at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh last year” by the noted European Arts website KULTURAONLINE.PL.

“VOICES/VOCALSCAPES’ was recently featured at the prestigious Festival of Songs in Wroclaw, Poland. This festival annually presents innovative and bold projects from around the globe. Writer Rafal Zielinski of the Gazeta Wyborcza wrote about “VOICES/VOCALSCAPES’, “Audiences love them for their sound, energy and joy onstage that spreads over the listeners.”. Popular tracks from Hamilton’s CD “VOICES” are available online. These tracks capture the sound and spirit of the show.

3. SKINS & SONGS
Hamilton's "VOICES" recently collaborated with Philadelphia's legendary all-percussion ensemble, "Spoken Hand" to create Skins & Songs, a mesmerizing new show that blends explosive percussive and vocal sounds. This powerful show was streamed online to an international audience and is currently preparing for tours in the US and abroad in 2013 - 2015.

4. PHILIP HAMILTON & STRINGS
Hamilton's recent appearance at Estonia's Muhu Muhu festival was highlighted by his collaboration with the Tobias String Quartet, (TSQ), a vibrant and adventurous string ensemble based in Eastern Europe. This sold out performance was both thrilling and unforgettable as audiences of all ages were treated to a unique setting for Hamilton's mesmerizing voice. The warmth of TSQ's strings performing rich arrangements created exclusively for Hamilton's instrument by various arrangers, including celebrated Portuguese guitarist/arranger Armindo Nieves, proved to be an uplifting and captivating combination. Hamilton is currently booking performances of this work for the 2013 -2015 seasons.

In recordings and in performances, Hamilton music is deeply emotional and expressive. He moves audiences with his distinctive sound and deep grooves. The music is soulful, ancient, traditional and new.