Jazz bassist Ray Brown studied piano as a kid in Pittsburgh.  There were so many pianists that he thought he'd be better off playing bass and that became his main ax. At 20 yrs old he took his bass to New York and got a gig in Dizzy Gillespie's band.  Ray Brown's understanding of the blues and bebop made him one of the best loved bassists of all time.  Enjoy the best of Ray Brown tonight on the 9 O'clock special.

When it comes to bass, Ray Brown says it all, and with soul.  He started with Dizzy Gillespie's band where he worked with the Milt Jackson and where he met his wife, Ella Fitzgerald.  Ray Brown became a huge part of the LA music scene and wrote for tv and film, and he recorded with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Oscar Peterson. Hear the sound of Ray Brown and his many friends tonight on the 9 O'clock Special. 

Drummer Jeff Hamilton grew up listening to his parents big band records in Indiana.  He was inspired by Gene Krupa and Philly Joe Jones.  After working with Ray Brown, Gene Harris and Ella Fitzgerald, today Hamilton leads is own piano trio and his band The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.  Hear him with his bands and with Diana Krall tonight when I feature the sound of Jeff Hamilton.