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Chico Hamilton

Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and six years with Lena Horne established this young West Coast prodigy as a jazz drummer on the rise, before striking out on his own as a bandleader in 1955.

Chico appears in the March Milastaire number in the film “You'll Never Get Rich” (1941) as part of the backing group supporting Fred Astaire, and performed on the soundtrack of the Bing Crosby/Bob Hope film “Road to Bali”.

Chico’s impact upon jazz includes the introduction of two unique and distinct sounds: first in 1955 with his Original Quintet which combined the sounds of his drums, the bass of Carson Smith, the guitar of Jim Hall, the cello of Fred Katz, and the flute of Buddy Collette; and the second in 1962 with his own drums, the bass of Albert Stinson, the guitar of Gabor Szabo, the tenor sax of Charles Lloyd, and the trombone of George Bohanon.

Recorded first lp as leader in '55 with George Duvivier and Howard Roberts for Pacific Jazz; in '55 formed an unusual quintet in L.A. feat. cello, flute, guitar, bass and drums which acquired national following; the original personnel incl. Buddy Collette, Jim Hall, Fred Katz and Carson Smith; Hamilton continued to tour using different personnel '57-'60; group incl. Paul Horne and John Pisano feat. in the film “Sweet Smell of Success” in '57; group incl. Nate Gershman and Eric Dolphy app. in film “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” in '60; Dolphy makes first recordings with Hamilton on “With Strings Attached”, “Gongs East”, “The Three Faces of Chico”, and “That Hamilton Man”.

Hamilton revamps group in '61 with new musical direction; new group incl. Charles Lloyd, Gabor Szabo, George Bohanon and Albert Stinson; group records for Columbia, Reprise and Impulse also records soundtrack for industrial film “Litho” in '62, the first American film to be shown behind the Iron Curtain. Hamilton forms commercial and film production company in '65; scores the feature films “Repulsion”, “Mr. Rico”, “By Design”, “Liebe Auf Den Ersten Blick”, “Die Sonnengottin”, and “A Practical Man”; scores for television “Portrait of Willie Mays” and the popular children's series “Gerald McBoing Boing”; scores hundreds of commercials for TV and radio. Forms new group with Larry Coryell, Richard Davis and Arnie Lawrence in '66 and records “The Dealer” for Impulse. Performs Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals in '72 and '73. Forms new "Players" group in '75 w. Arthur Blythe, Steve Turre, Barry Finnerty and Abdullah; tours with "Players" using different personnel '76-'80; records for Blue Note, Mercury, Nautilus and Elektra. Originating faculty member in '87 of New School University Jazz & Contemporary Music Program.

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Interview

Chico Hamilton: The Master

Read "Chico Hamilton: The Master" reviewed by Maxwell Chandler


In celebration of Chico Hamilton's 100th birthday today (September 20, 1921--November 26, 2013). This interview first appeared at All About Jazz in October 2007. An educator, performer, film score composer/actor, drummer and bandleader, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master (2004) and Kennedy Center Living Jazz Master Chico Hamilton is still going strong. His always compelling music defies genre and manages to reach new audiences through works like the newly restored Original Ellington Suite (Blue Note, 2000) and ...

8
Album Review

Chico Hamilton: The Dealer

Read "The Dealer" reviewed by Zachary Weg


Although it came out in 1966, Chico Hamilton's The Dealer (Impulse! Records) still sounds as fresh as Long Beach mist. Leading a quartet that introduced the late guitar virtuoso Larry Coryell and which placed saxophone master Archie Shepp on piano, drummer Hamilton made a record that both showcased his fellow jazz princes and radiated his signature charm. He also crafted an as-yet-unheralded, unexpectedly resonant work of art. Hamilton, who played in high school with Charles Mingus and ...

2
Album Review

Chico Hamilton: The Inquiring Mind

Read "The Inquiring Mind" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Chico Hamilton ci ha lasciato un affascinante testamento musicale, realizzato lo scorso anno all'età di 92 anni, qualche mese prima di morire. Il titolo del disco sottolinea la caratteristica saliente della mente del batterista e compositore: quella vivace curiosità che l'ha mantenuto spiritualmente giovane ed ha alimentato l'eclettismo del suo stile. Chico non è stato solo un grande strumentista, magistrale con le spazzole e i mazzuoli, ma un leader visionario, che ha saputo integrare un'ampia varietà di ...

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Extended Analysis

Chico Hamilton Quintet: Three Classic Albums

Read "Chico Hamilton Quintet: Three Classic Albums" reviewed by David Rickert


Chico Hamilton QuintetThree Classic AlbumsAvid Records2010 The first thing the Chico Hamilton Quintet had going for it was unusual instrumentation. The quintet built its sound around the cello, and featured guitar, bass, either flute or clarinet (with the occasional sax), and Hamilton on drums, forgoing the sticks for brushes or mallets. The second thing was a style that wasn't quite jazz, exactly, but not as composed as classical (and definitely not as ...

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Multiple Reviews

Chico Hamilton: Now and Then

Read "Chico Hamilton: Now and Then" reviewed by Joel Roberts


Chico Hamilton Twelve Tones of Love Joyous Shout 2009 The Original Chico Hamilton Quintet Complete Studio Recordings Fresh Sound 2009 It would be a huge understatement simply to say that legendary drummer Chico Hamilton is still going strong as he approaches his 88th birthday next month. His latest CD, Twelve Tones of Love, is ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Chico Hamilton

Read "Take Five With Chico Hamilton" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Chico Hamilton: Known for representing jazz in its purest form, octogenarian Chico Hamilton shows virtually no signs of fatigue. Saluted by the Kennedy Center as a “Living Jazz Legend," and appointed to the National Council on the Arts, Chico Hamilton is considered one of the most important living jazz artists and composers. He is currently on a national Borders Bookstore tour with his band Euphoria. While continuing to teach at the New School University Jazz Program, where he was ...

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Profile

Chico Hamilton: Joyous Shout

Read "Chico Hamilton: Joyous Shout" reviewed by Donald Elfman


When Chico Hamilton was a boy growing up in Los Angeles, the film studios used to send trucks out to pick up the little African-American children to play natives in their Tarzan movies. “It was work, after all, and we got paid for it," says the drummer, now 87 years of age. “And what you learned very quickly is not to look into the camera. Once you did that they could never hire you again." That's a lesson that relates ...

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Video / DVD

Chico Hamilton: A Different Journey

Chico Hamilton: A Different Journey

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Last week, after my post on Bobby Hutcherson's Oblique, featuring Albert Stinson on bass, Bill Kirchner reminded me of Chico Hamilton's A Different Journey, featuring a superb Hamilton-led quintet that included Stinson. Recorded for Reprise in January 1963 in San Francisco, the quintet was comprised of George Bohanon (tb), Charles Lloyd (fl,ts,as), Gabor Szabo (g), Albert Stinson (b) and Chico Hamilton (d). By early 1963, Chico had completed his pioneering chamber-jazz experiments and shifted to hard bop and jazz inspired ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Chico Hamilton's birthday today!

Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and six ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Chico Hamilton's birthday today!

Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr.... Read more.

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Video / DVD

Chico Hamilton: At Strollers

Chico Hamilton: At Strollers

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

In August 1955, promoter Maynard Sloate booked a quirky quintet into Strollers, a jazz club at 27 Locust Avenue in Long Beach, Calif. The quintet led by drummer Chico Hamilton featured Buddy Collette (as,ts,cl,fl), Fred Katz (cello), Jim Hall (g), Carson Smith (b) and Hamilton (d). There was no cover or minimum. Branded a chamber jazz group, the quintet took its lumps from critics who found the ensemble precious and overrefined. In all fairness to Chico, a few years earlier ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Chico Hamilton's birthday today!

Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr.... Read more.

Place our Musician of ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Chico Hamilton's birthday today!

Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr.... Read more.

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Recording

Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

As the years progressed in the 1950s, a growing number of movies began to feature jazz-flavored scores. Film music's shift to a more contemporary feel was being expressed in virtually all areas of art and design. Starting roughly mid-decade, sleek modernism took hold in architecture, car design, home furnishings and even office furniture as prefabrication, glass, non- hierarchical geometry and futurism replaced stone, claustrophobic interiors and pre-war stuffiness. In film, this trend was reflected with brassy jazz rather than heavy ...

1

Recording

Chico Hamilton: Broadway, 1960

Chico Hamilton: Broadway, 1960

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

As a drummer and leader, Chico Hamilton was vastly important in the evolution of small-group jazz in the 1950s and '60s. Unfortunately, he is nearly forgotten today. A force on the West Coast, Hamilton was a member of the seminal Gerry Mulligan Quartet in the early 1950s, he formed his own unique avant-garde quintet in the mid-1950s and again in the early '60s, and he appeared in the 1957 film Sweet Smell of Success along with his music and most ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Chico Hamilton's birthday today!

Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr... Read more.

Place our Musician of ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chico Hamilton

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Chico Hamilton's birthday today! Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso. Engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr... Read more. Place our Musician of ...

"An astonishing burst of creativity." richard s. ginell/all music guide

"Foreststorn 'Chico' Hamilton is a true jazz legend- his music represents jazz in its purest form. It is invention, originality and change. He is unafraid to let the music flow forth in whatever creative form it chooses while staying true to his identity as a musician. Hamilton's steady, forceful, yet beautifully restrained drumming leads his group track by track. The result is everything you expect jazz to be. At a young 85 years old, Hamilton is the true epitome of agelessness, and his music knows no generational bounds". sheeba rashada/groundliftmag.com

Jeremy Wilms
composer / conductor

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Inquiring Mind

Joyous Shout!
2014

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Chico Hamilton...

Avid Records UK
2011

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It's About Time!

Joyous Shout!
2008

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It's About Time

Joyous Shout!
2008

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Dreams Come True

Joyous Shout!
2008

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Videos

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