The last time that Chris Hamilton performed in NY was as an Oxford-trained attorney in 1998 advising on English law. Now, after establishing an international career as a triple-threat pianist/singer/composer, he is back in the city making his NY cabaret debut in “I Have A Small Confession” at Don't Tell Mama for five shows in November - and what a debut it was! Chris was born in Cardiff, Wales, is a classically trained pianist since the age of 4 and fluent in many musical styles.
Chris, seated at the piano, began the show with a song he wrote, entitled “I Know That It's a Tradition” about why an opening number is needed, in the Coward tradition of “Why Must The Show Go On.” He said that he wrote it while trying to find a good song to start the show with. The title song, “I Have A Small Confession…” is quite funny about his dislike of children also with a Coward touch. The press release says that “Chris has a particular passion for clever lyrics and patter, and his repertoire pays homage to British wits Flanders & Swann and Noel Coward.” He performed Coward's brilliant “In a Bar On The Piccola Marina” and “Nina” and made them his own. He sang “Have Some Madeira M'Dear,” a rarely heard gem of Flanders and Swann.
To show his piano virtuosity, Chris performed a dazzling piano medley with everything from Gershwin to Chopin thrown in and later wowed his audience with a lovely version of “Clair de Lune.” His guest artist, Israeli born Shimi Goodman, came up on stage to perform “Coffee Shop,” an original song of returning to a lover's rendezvous place alone. Shimi is a talented West End Performer who recently starred in Dirty Dancing in London. Then, Shimi and Chris performed a duet of “Me and My Shadow” with an impressive counterpoint. Chris met Cardiff born composer/pianist Ray Jessel and honored him by singing his “I'm Alright Now, “ a song about getting through a break-up.
One of the highlights of the show was a Medley of the songs of fellow Welsh born singers Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey as Chris feels he has “a touch of them inside him.” Chris wrote the book, lyrics and music to a musical “Over The Threshold” which won a UK competition and was performed in North London. Some of the songs from the show will be performed at the Montclair State University Player's Theatre in NJ on November 12 with Chris as Musical Director. Shimi sang a tender “Please Can We Kiss One More Time?” from the show and Chris “You've Got The Wrong Look” about the trials of auditioning and being in show business.
The charming Chris Hamilton is the real deal. His years of experience is evident as he already has an appreciative following in London, headlined on many cruise ships, and performed around the world.
He is totally comfortable on stage with delightful patter, sings beautifully and is a master at the piano; In other words, Chris Hamilton is a total showman and should have a great international career.
Chris's website is under construction, but go to:
http://www.myspace.com/chrishamiltonmyspace
Contact Laura Davis, PR Representative at Lauraatlarge@aol.com .
Shows at Don't Tell Mama November 8, 10, 13 & 15.
Linda Amiel Burns
Founder and Director of The Singing Experience, popular cabaret and musical theater performance workshops since 1977, have been featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. Linda is a sought after vocal coach & director and has written, booked and directed hundreds of cabaret acts, was nominated by MAC as “Best Director” in 2007. She produces and stars in The Singing Experience Cable TV Show on MNN and RCN and is President Of The New York Sheet Music Society (http://www.NYSMS.org .) and a Trustee of Arts Horizons, which brings art programs to schools. (http://www.artshorizons.org ).
E-mail: SingLAB@aol.com Website: http://www.SingingExperience.com 212 315-3500