Chico Hamilton
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| - | '''Chico Hamilton''' (born '''Foreststorn Hamilton''' on [[September 21]], [[1921]], [[Los Angeles]]) is an [[American drummer|American jazz drummer]] and bandleader. | + | '''Chico Hamilton''' (born '''Foreststorn Hamilton''', September 20, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American [[Jazz drumming|jazz drummer]] and [[bandleader]] known for such compositions as "[[Magic Fingers]]" and "[[Mysterious Maiden]]." |
| - | ==History== | + | ==Biography== |
| - | Hamilton 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 band leader in 1955. | + | ===Early life and career=== |
| + | Hamilton was born in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. His brother was the actor [[Bernie Hamilton]]. | ||
| - | Hamilton appeared 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]]''. | + | Hamilton started his career in a band with [[Charles Mingus]], [[Illinois Jacquet]], [[Ernie Royal]], [[Dexter Gordon]], [[Buddy Collette]] and [[Jackie Kelso|Jack Kelso]]. Engagements with [[Lionel Hampton]], [[Slim & Slam]], [[T-Bone Walker]], [[Lester Young]], [[Count Basie]], [[Duke Ellington]], [[Charlie Barnet]], [[Billy Eckstine]], [[Nat King Cole]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], [[Billie Holiday]], [[Gerry Mulligan]] and six years with [[Lena Horne]] established his career. |
| - | Hamilton's impact on 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 (jazz musician)|Charles Lloyd]], and the trombone of [http://www.georgebohanon.com/ George Bohanon]. | + | Hamilton appeared in the film ''[[You'll Never Get Rich]]'' (1941) as part of the backing group supporting [[Fred Astaire]]. He also performed on the soundtrack of the [[Bing Crosby]] and [[Bob Hope]] film ''[[Road to Bali]]''. |
| - | He recorded his first LP as leader in 1955 with [[George Duvivier]] and [[Howard Roberts]] for Pacific Jazz; in 1955 he formed an unusual quintet in L.A. featuring cello, flute, guitar, bass and drums. The original personnel included Buddy Collette, Jim Hall, Fred Katz and Carson Smith; Hamilton continued to tour using different personnel, 1957 to 1960; the group including [[Paul Horne]] and [[John Pisano]] was featured in the film ''[[Sweet Smell of Success]]'' in 1957; the group including [[Nate Gershman]] and [[Eric Dolphy]] appeared in the film ''[[Jazz on a Summer's Day]]'' in 1960; Dolphy marked his first recordings with Hamilton on ''[[With Strings Attached]]'', ''[[Gongs East]]'', ''[[The Three Faces of Chico]]'', and ''[[That Hamilton Man]]''. | + | ===Bandleader=== |
| + | He recorded his first album as leader in 1955 with [[George Duvivier]] ([[double-bass]]) and [[Howard Roberts]] ([[jazz guitar]]) for [[Pacific Jazz Records|Pacific Jazz]]. In same year Hamilton formed an unusual [[quintet]] in L.A. featuring [[cello]], [[flute]], [[guitar]], [[Double bass|bass]] and [[drums]]. The quintet has been described as one of the last important [[West Coast Jazz]] bands. The original personnel included flutist [[Buddy Collette]], guitarist [[Jim Hall (musician)|Jim Hall]], cellist [[Fred Katz (cellist)|Fred Katz]] and bassist [[Jim Aton]], who was later replaced by [[Carson Smith]]. Hamilton continued to tour, using different personnel, from 1957 to 1960. The group including flutist [[Paul Horn (musician)|Paul Horn]] and [[John Pisano]] was featured in the film ''[[Sweet Smell of Success]]'' in 1957. The same group, this time including [[Eric Dolphy]] appeared in the film ''[[Jazz on a Summer's Day]]'' in 1960. | ||
| - | Hamilton revamped the group in 1961 with Charles Lloyd, Gabor Szabo, George Bohanon and Albert Stinson; the group recorded for [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Reprise]] and [[Impulse]] and also recorded the soundtrack for the industrial film ''[[Litho]]'' in 1962, the first American film to be shown behind the [[Iron Curtain]]. Hamilton formed a commercial and film production company in 1965; scored the feature films ''[[Repulsion]]'', ''[[Mr. Rico]]'', ''[[By Design]]'', ''[[Liebe Auf Den Ersten Blick]]'', ''[[Die Sonnengottin]]'', and ''[[A Practical Man (film)|A Practical Man]]''; scored for television ''[[Portrait of Willie Mays]]'' and the popular children's series ''[[Gerald McBoing Boing]]''; and scored hundreds of commercials for TV and radio. He formed a new group with [[Larry Coryell]], [[Richard Davis]] and [[Arnie Lawrence]] in '66 and recorded ''[[The Dealer]]'' for Impulse. Performed at Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals in 1972 and 1973. Formed a new "Players" group in 1975 with [[Arthur Blythe]], [[Steve Turre]], [[Barry Finnerty]] and [[Abdullah]]; also, wrote and performed the musical score for the movie, ''[[Coonskin (film)|Coonskin]]'', in 1975; toured with "Players" using different personnel in 1976-1980; recorded for [[Blue Note]], [[Mercury Records]], [[Nautilus Records|Nautilus]] and [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]. Originating faculty member in 1987 of New School University Jazz & Contemporary Music Program. | + | Hamilton revamped his group in 1961 with [[Charles Lloyd (jazz musician)|Charles Lloyd]], [[Gabor Szabo]], [[George Bohanon]] and [[Albert Stinson]], playing what has been described as "a moderate [[avant-gardism]]." The group recorded for [[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[Reprise Records|Reprise]] and [[Impulse! Records|Impulse Records]] and also recorded the [[soundtrack]] for the [[industrial film]] ''[[Litho]]'' in 1962, the first American film to be shown behind the [[Iron Curtain]]. Hamilton formed a commercial and film production company in 1965; scored the feature films ''[[Repulsion]]'', ''[[By Design]]'', the television program ''Portrait of Willie Mays'' and the popular children's series ''[[Gerald McBoing Boing]]'', and scored hundreds of commercials for TV and radio. |
| - | He formed the new group "Euphoria" in 1987 with [[Eric Person]], [[Cary DeNigris]] and [[Reggie Washington]]; recorded ''[[Euphoria]]'' in 1987; toured Europe with Euphoria '87, '88, '90. Performed at Verona, Bolzano, Vienne, Nice, North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals in '89 with regrouped original quintet with Buddy Collette, Fred Katz, John Pisano, Carson Smith; recorded ''[[Reunion]]'' for Soul Note. For Soul Note records ''[[Arroyo]]'' with Euphoria group, ''[[Trio!]]'' w. Eric Person, Cary DeNigris, Eric Dolphy tribute ''[[My Panamanian Friend]]'' with Euphoria group, and solo drum session ''[[Dancing to a Different Drummer]]''. Toured Europe with Euphoria in 1994. Hamilton was the subject of a documentary film by director [[Julian Benedikt]], ''[[Dancing to a Different Drummer]]''. | + | He performed at [[Montreux Jazz Festival]] in 1972 and 1973, then formed a new group called ''Players'' in 1975 with [[Arthur Blythe]], [[Steve Turre]], [[Barry Finnerty]] and [[Abdullah]]{{disambiguation needed|date=July 2012}}; also, wrote and performed the musical score for the movie ''[[Coonskin (film)|Coonskin]]'' in same year. Hamilton toured with ''Players'' using different personnel in 1976-80; recorded for [[Blue Note Records|Blue Note]], [[Mercury Records]], and [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]. Originating faculty member in 1987 of [[New School University]] ''Jazz and Contemporary Music Program''. |
| - | Hamilton released ''[[Foreststorn]]'' in 2001 featuring Euphoria with Cary DeNigris on guitar, [[Paul Ramsey]] on bass, and a new two horn front line featuring [[Eric Lawrence]] on alto and soprano saxes and [[Evan Schwam]] on tenor sax, as well as special guest appearances from former band members Arthur Blythe, Steve Turre and his wife [[Akua Dixon]], Eric Person, former [[Spin Doctors]] guitarist [[Eric Schenkman]] (a student of Chico's), [[Blues Traveler]] front man [[John Popper]] (also a student of Chico's), and [[Charlie Watts]] of [[The Rolling Stones]]. In August 2001 he performed in front of 2300 people at [[Lincoln Center]] "My Funny Valentine: A Tribute to Chico Hamilton" with Euphoria plus special guest appearances from [[Joe Beck]], Arthur Blythe, Larry Coryell, [[Akua Dixon]], [[Rodney Jones]] and Eric Person. In fall 2002 he released ''[[Thoughts of…]]'' with Euphoria, with special guest appearances from guitarists and former band members Joe Beck, Larry Coryell and [[Rodney Jones]]. | + | He formed another group named ''Euphoria'' in 1987 with [[Eric Person]], Cary DeNigris and Reggie Washington; recorded ''Euphoria'' and toured Europe with the group 1987, 1988, 1990. Performed at Verona, Bolzano, Vienne, Nice, [[North Sea Jazz Festival]] and Montreux Jazz Festivals in 1989 with regrouped original quintet with Buddy Collette, Fred Katz, John Pisano, Carson Smith; recorded ''Reunion'' for [[Soul Note]]. For Soul Note records ''Arroyo'' with Euphoria group, ''[[Trio!]]'' w. [[Eric Person]], Cary DeNigris, Eric Dolphy tribute ''My Panamanian Friend'' with Euphoria group, and solo drum session ''Dancing to a Different Drummer''. Toured Europe with Euphoria in 1994. Hamilton was the subject of a documentary film by director Julian Benedikt, ''Dancing to a Different Drummer''. |
| - | In 1997, Hamilton received the [[New School University]] Jazz & Contemporary Music Programs [[Beacons in Jazz Award]] in recognition for his "significant contribution to the evolution of Jazz." In 2002, he was awarded the [[WLIU-FM]] Radio Lifetime Achievement Award. At the [[IAJE]] in NYC January 2004, Hamilton was awarded a [[NEA Jazz Master Fellowship]], presented to him by [[Roy Haynes]]. In December 2006, Congress confirmed the President's nomination of Chico Hamilton to the [[Presidents Council on the Arts]]. And in 2007, Hamilton received a [[Living Legacy Jazz Award]] as part of [[The Kennedy Center]] Jazz in Our Time Festival, as well as receiving a Doctor of Fine Arts from [[The New School]]. | + | ===Later career=== |
| - | Hamilton has a resume that includes scores for film, original compositions, commercial jingles, 50+ albums as a leader, and countless international tours. In 2006, Chico released four CDs on [[Joyous Shout!]] in celebration of his 85th birthday: ''[[Juniflip]]'' featuring guest appearances from Love front-man [[Arthur Lee]], vocalist (and successful actor) [[Bill Henderson]], and former Hamilton band members trombonist George Bohanon and bass trombonist [[Jimmy Cheatham]]; ''Believe'' with special guest appearances from vocalist and R & B diva [[Fontella Bass]] and trombonist George Bohanon; ''6th Avenue Romp'' featuring special guest appearances from guitarist [[Shuggie Otis]], trumpeter [[Jon Faddis]], trombonist George Bohanon, vocalist [[Brenna Bavis]] and percussionist [[Jaimoe]] of the [[Allman Brothers Band]]; and ''Heritage'' with special guest appearances from vocalist [[Marya Lawrence]] and trombonist George Bohanon. In September 2007, Chico released ''[[Hamiltonia]]'' sampling his original compositions from the four albums released in 2006. ''Hamiltonia'' confirms Hamilton's status as one of the most important living jazz artists and composers. | + | Hamilton released ''[[Foreststorn]]'' in 2001 featuring Euphoria with Cary DeNigris on guitar, [[Paul Ramsey (musician)|Paul Ramsey]] on bass, and a new two horn front line featuring [[Eric Lawrence]] on alto and soprano saxes and [[Evan Schwam]] on tenor sax, as well as special guest appearances from former band members Arthur Blythe, Steve Turre and his wife [[Akua Dixon]], [[Eric Person]], former [[Spin Doctors]] guitarist [[Eric Schenkman]] (a student of Chico's), [[Blues Traveler]] front man [[John Popper]] (also a student of Chico's), and [[Charlie Watts]] of [[The Rolling Stones]]. In August 2001 he performed in front of 2300 people at [[Lincoln Center]] ''My Funny Valentine: A Tribute to Chico Hamilton'' with Euphoria plus special guest appearances from [[Joe Beck]], Arthur Blythe, Larry Coryell, [[Akua Dixon]], [[Rodney Jones (guitarist)|Rodney Jones]] and [[Eric Person]]. In fall 2002 he released ''[[Thoughts of…]]'' with Euphoria, with special guest appearances from guitarists and former band members Joe Beck, Larry Coryell and [[Rodney Jones (guitarist)|Rodney Jones]]. |
| - | Over the years, Hamilton has had a series of dance successes, including his signature song "Conquistadors" from his '60s [[Impulse]] album ''[[El Chico]]'', and the Brazilian influenced song "Strut" from Hamilton's 1980 Elektra album, ''[[Nomad (Chico Hamilton album)|Nomad]]'', which became so successful on the [[Northern soul|Northern Soul scene]] in the U.K. that it had its own dance. In 2002 a track titled "For Mods Only" from Hamilton's 1968 [[Impulse]] album ''[[The Dealer]]'', was included on the [[Thievery Corporation]]'s ''[[Sounds from the Verve Hi-Fi]]''. In fall 2006, [[Rong Music]] released the 12" vinyl ''[[Kerry's Caravan]]'' from [[Mudd]] & Chico Hamilton, with remixes from long-term [[Idjut Boys]] collaborator and [[Fiasco]] imprint boss [[Ray Mang]]. And the recent [[Impulsive!]] Remix Project features [[Mark De Clive Lowe]]'s take on Chico's '60s track "El Toro." Released December of 2007 from [[SoulFeast]] ([[Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell]] & [[Brian Michel Bacchus]]) on 12" limited edition vinyl is their recasting of Chico's classic track "Mysterious Maiden," and coming in Spring 2008 from [[SoulFeast]] is a CD & double vinyl 12" EP ''[[Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico]]''. | + | In 1997, Hamilton received the [[New School University]] Jazz and Contemporary Music Programs [[Beacons in Jazz Award]] in recognition for his "significant contribution to the evolution of Jazz." In 2002, he was awarded the [[WLIU-FM]] Radio Lifetime Achievement Award. At the [[IAJE]] in NYC January 2004, Hamilton was awarded a [[NEA Jazz Master Fellowship]], presented to him by [[Roy Haynes]]. In December 2006, Congress confirmed the President's nomination of Chico Hamilton to the [[Presidents Council on the Arts]]. And in 2007, Hamilton received a [[Living Legend Jazz Award]] as part of [[The Kennedy Center]] Jazz in Our Time Festival, as well as receiving a Doctor of Fine Arts from [[The New School]]. |
| - | ==Current life== | + | In 2006, he released four CDs on [[Joyous Shout!]] in celebration of his 85th birthday: ''[[Juniflip]]'' featuring guest appearances from [[Love (band)|Love]] front-man [[Arthur Lee (musician)|Arthur Lee]], vocalist (and successful actor) [[Bill Henderson (performer)|Bill Henderson]], and former Hamilton band members trombonist George Bohanon and bass trombonist [[Jimmy Cheatham]]; ''Believe'' with special guest appearances from vocalist and [[rhythm and blues]] singer [[Fontella Bass]] and trombonist George Bohanon; ''6th Avenue Romp'' featuring special guest appearances from guitarist [[Shuggie Otis]], trumpeter [[Jon Faddis]], trombonist George Bohanon, vocalist [[Brenna Bavis]] and percussionist [[Jaimoe]] of the [[Allman Brothers Band]]; and ''Heritage'' with special guest appearances from vocalist [[Marya Lawrence]] and trombonist George Bohanon. In September 2007, he released ''[[Hamiltonia]]'' sampling his original compositions from the four albums released in 2006. |
| - | Hamilton is presently teaching at [[The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music]] in New York City; touring extensively in North America with Euphoria, which includes Cary DeNigris on guitar, Paul Ramsey on bass, Evan Schwam on flute, tenor and soprano saxes, and [[Ian Young]] on flute, alto and baritone saxes, and [[Jeremy Carlstedt]] on percussion; recording with his group and special guests; composing and performing music for film; and working on his autobiography. | + | |
| + | Over the years, Hamilton had a series of dance successes, including his signature song "[[Conquistadors]]" from his 1960s [[Impulse! Records|Impulse]] album ''[[El Chico]]'', and the Brazilian influenced song "[[Strut]]" from Hamilton's 1980 Elektra album, ''[[Nomad (Chico Hamilton album)|Nomad]]'', which became so successful on the [[Northern soul|Northern Soul scene]] in the U.K. that it had its own dance. In 2002 a track titled "For Mods Only" from Hamilton's 1968 [[Impulse! Records|Impulse]] album ''[[The Dealer]]'', was included on the [[Thievery Corporation]]'s ''[[Sounds from the Verve Hi-Fi]]''. In 2006, [[Rong Music]] released the 12" vinyl ''[[Kerry's Caravan]]'' from [[Mudd]] and Chico Hamilton, with remixes from long-term [[Idjut Boys]] collaborator and [[Fiasco (record label)|Fiasco]] imprint boss [[Ray Mang]]. And the recent [[Impulsive! Revolutionary Jazz Reworked]] Remix Project features [[Mark De Clive-Lowe]]'s remix of Chico's song "El Toro." Released in December 2007 from [[SoulFeast]] ([[Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell]] and [[Brian Michel Bacchus]]) is a 12" single on 180 gram vinyl of their recasting of Chico's track "Mysterious Maiden," in 2008 from [[SoulFeast]] is a CD EP ''[[Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico]]'', and in 2009 a 12" double vinyl version of ''[[Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico]]''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hamilton released ''[[Twelve Tones of Love]]'' on [[Joyous Shout!]] in 2009. From Maxwell Chandler’s liner notes: "Chico Hamilton looks back not as a summation but with the past as a jumping off point to where he is now; the foundation to build off of what he has to say in the here and now. This album has Chico writing for and playing with an enlarged ensemble, offering us a glimpse of his life’s journey and some of those he has shared it with." | ||
| + | |||
| + | In March 2011, with his 90th birthday six months off, Hamilton trekked out of his [[New York City]] penthouse apartment to helm a marathon recording session resulting in 28 new tracks with his Euphoria group. No one woodsheds like a jazz drummer, and coming off a health setback during the Summer of 2010, Hamilton and his Euphoria group began sheding at weekly rehearsals at Hamilton’s Penthouse A. These weekly rehearsals played an important part in Hamilton’s rehabilitation, facilitated Hamilton and his group becoming very tight with each other and exploring places musically they had not previously gone together, and brought together a wealth of new original material, offered up in three courses, each of which is a different viewpoint of Hamilton’s ''[[Revelation]]''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ''[[Revelation EP]]'' on 10” vinyl, Hamilton’s very first recording as a leader, Chico Hamilton Trio in 1955 on Pacific Jazz with Howard Roberts & George Duvivier, was pressed up on 10” vinyl. So it seemed a fitting tribute to Chico’s longevity as a leader for a selection of Chico originals, two tracks of which are exclusive to this format, 58 years later to be presented in the same format. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ''[[Revelation]]'' was an 11-track CD, which opens and closes with a focus on Hamilton at his drum kit, and in-between takes us on a different journey from both the melodic and rhythmic points of view. From the up-tempo Latin groove of "Evanly" with its vocal out chorus; the mid tempo swing of "No Way LA" and "Ten Minutes To Twelve"; the Lunceford-like band vocals on "Stompin’ at The Savoy" and "It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing)"; to Hamilton’s vocalizing on "Every Time I Smile"; the pastoral melodic beauty of "You’re Note Alone"; the up-tempo funk of "Black Eyed Peas"; and the bossa funkiness of "Foot Prints in the Sand". | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hamilton died on November 25, 2013, in [[Manhattan]]. | ||
| ==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
| - | *1955 Chico Hamilton Trio (10" LP) | + | ===As leader=== |
| - | *1955 Chico Hamilton Quintet feat. Buddy Collette | + | *1955: ''Chico Hamilton Trio'' (10" LP) |
| - | *1960 Original Chico Hamilton Quintet | + | *1955: ''Chico Hamilton Quintet feat. Buddy Collette'' |
| - | *1956 Chico Hamilton Quintet In Hi-Fi | + | *1960: ''Original Chico Hamilton Quintet'' |
| - | *1956 Chico Hamilton Trio (12" LP) | + | *1956: ''Chico Hamilton Quintet In Hi-Fi'' |
| - | *1957 Chico Hamilton Quintet | + | *1956: ''Chico Hamilton Trio'' (12" LP) |
| - | *1957 Zen: The Music Of Fred Katz | + | *1957: ''Chico Hamilton Quintet'' |
| - | *1957 Sweet Smell Of Success | + | *1957: ''Zen: The Music Of Fred Katz'' |
| - | *1958 South Pacific In Hi-Fi | + | *1957: ''Sweet Smell Of Success'' |
| - | *1958 Chico Hamilton Trio intro. Freddie Gambrel | + | *1958: ''South Pacific In Hi-Fi'' |
| - | *1959 Ellington Suite | + | *1958: ''Chico Hamilton Trio intro. Freddie Gambrel'' |
| - | *1959 With Strings Attached | + | *1959: ''Ellington Suite'' (1958 version with Eric Dolphy released 2000) |
| - | *1959 Gongs East! | + | *1959: ''With Strings Attached'' |
| - | *1959 The Three Faces Of Chico | + | *1959: ''Gongs East!'' |
| - | *1959 That Hamilton Man | + | *1959: ''The Three Faces Of Chico'' |
| - | *1960 Bye Bye Birdie/Irma La Douce | + | *1959: ''That Hamilton Man'' |
| - | *1960 Chico Hamilton Special | + | *1960: ''Bye Bye Birdie/Irma La Douce'' |
| - | *1962 Drumfusion | + | *1960 'Chico Hamilton Special'' |
| - | *1962 Litho | + | *1962: ''Drumfusion'' |
| - | *1962 A Different Journey | + | *1962: ''Litho'' |
| - | *1962 Passin' Thru | + | *1962: ''A Different Journey'' |
| - | *1963 Man From Two Worlds | + | *1962: ''[[Passin' Thru (Chico Hamilton album)|Passin' Thru]]'' ([[Impulse! Records|Impulse!]]) |
| - | *1965 Chic Chic Chico | + | *1963: ''The Great Chico Hamilton Featuring Paul Horn'' ([[Crown Records]] CLP 5341) |
| - | *1966 El Chico | + | *1963: ''[[Man from Two Worlds]]'' (Impulse!) |
| - | *1966 The Further Adventures Of El Chico | + | *1965: ''[[Chic Chic Chico]]'' (Impulse!) |
| - | *1966 [[The Dealer]] | + | *1966: ''[[El Chico (album)|El Chico]]'' (Impulse!) |
| - | *1967 The Best of Chico Hamilton | + | *1966: ''[[The Further Adventures of El Chico]]'' (Impulse!) |
| - | *1968 The Gamut | + | *1966: ''[[The Dealer]]'' (Impulse!) |
| - | *1969 The Head Hunters | + | *1967: ''The Best of Chico Hamilton'' |
| - | *1970 El Exigente/The Demanding One | + | *1968: ''The Gamut'' |
| - | *1973 The Master | + | *1969: ''The Head Hunters'' |
| - | *1974 Live At Montreux (w/Albert King & Little Milton) | + | *1970: ''El Exigente/The Demanding One'' |
| - | *1975 Peregrinations | + | *1973: ''The Master'' |
| - | *1976 The Players | + | *1974: ''Live At Montreux'' (with Albert King and Little Milton) |
| - | *1977 Catwalk | + | *1975: ''Peregrinations'' |
| - | *1979 Reaching For The Top | + | *1976: ''The Players'' |
| - | *1980 Nomad | + | *1977: ''Catwalk'' |
| - | *1988 Euphoria | + | *1979: ''Reaching For The Top'' |
| - | *1990 Transfusion | + | *1980: ''Nomad'' |
| - | *1991 Reunion | + | *1988: ''Euphoria'' |
| - | *1992 Arroyo | + | *1990: ''Transfusion'' |
| - | *1993 Trio! | + | *1991: ''Reunion'' |
| - | *1994 My Panamanian Friend (The Music Of Eric Dolphy) | + | *1992: ''Arroyo'' |
| - | *1994 Dancing To A Different Drummer | + | *1993: ''Trio!'' |
| - | *1998 Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Chico Hamilton Quintet | + | *1994: ''My Panamanian Friend (The Music Of Eric Dolphy)'' |
| - | *1999 Timely | + | *1994: ''Dancing To A Different Drummer'' |
| - | *2000 Original Ellington Suite | + | *1998: ''Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Chico Hamilton Quintet'' |
| - | *2001 Foreststorn | + | *1999 Timely'' |
| - | *2002 Thoughts Of... | + | *2000: ''Original Ellington Suite'' (recorded 1958) |
| - | *2006 Juniflip | + | *2001: ''Foreststorn'' |
| - | *2006 Believe | + | *2002: ''Thoughts Of...'' |
| - | *2006 6th Avenue Romp | + | *2006: ''Juniflip'' |
| - | *2006 Heritage | + | *2006: ''Believe'' |
| - | *2007 Hamiltonia | + | *2006: ''6th Avenue Romp'' |
| - | *2008 It's About Time EP | + | *2006: ''Heritage'' |
| - | *2008 Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico EP | + | *2007: ''Hamiltonia'' |
| + | *2007: ''Mysterious Maiden 12” 180 gram vinyl'' | ||
| + | *2008: ''It's About Time EP'' | ||
| + | *2008: ''Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico EP'' | ||
| + | *2008: ''Andrew Hill and Chico Hamilton- Dreams Come True'' | ||
| + | *2008: ''Trio! Live @ Artpark'' | ||
| + | *2009: ''The Alternative Dimensions of El Chico 12” double vinyl'' | ||
| + | *2009: ''Twelve Tones of Love'' | ||
| + | *2011: ''Revelation EP 10" vinyl'' | ||
| + | *2011: ''Euphoric EP'' | ||
| + | *2011: ''Revelation'' | ||
| + | ===As sideman=== | ||
| + | '''With [[Gábor Szabó]]''' | ||
| + | *''[[Spellbinder (album)|Spellbinder]]'' (Impulse!, 1966) | ||
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Chico Hamilton (born Foreststorn Hamilton, September 20, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader known for such compositions as "Magic Fingers" and "Mysterious Maiden."
Contents |
Biography
Early life and career
Hamilton was born in Los Angeles, California. His brother was the actor Bernie Hamilton.
Hamilton started his career in a band with 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 Barnet, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and six years with Lena Horne established his career.
Hamilton appeared in the film You'll Never Get Rich (1941) as part of the backing group supporting Fred Astaire. He also performed on the soundtrack of the Bing Crosby and Bob Hope film Road to Bali.
Bandleader
He recorded his first album as leader in 1955 with George Duvivier (double-bass) and Howard Roberts (jazz guitar) for Pacific Jazz. In same year Hamilton formed an unusual quintet in L.A. featuring cello, flute, guitar, bass and drums. The quintet has been described as one of the last important West Coast Jazz bands. The original personnel included flutist Buddy Collette, guitarist Jim Hall, cellist Fred Katz and bassist Jim Aton, who was later replaced by Carson Smith. Hamilton continued to tour, using different personnel, from 1957 to 1960. The group including flutist Paul Horn and John Pisano was featured in the film Sweet Smell of Success in 1957. The same group, this time including Eric Dolphy appeared in the film Jazz on a Summer's Day in 1960.
Hamilton revamped his group in 1961 with Charles Lloyd, Gabor Szabo, George Bohanon and Albert Stinson, playing what has been described as "a moderate avant-gardism." The group recorded for Columbia, Reprise and Impulse Records and also recorded the soundtrack for the industrial film Litho in 1962, the first American film to be shown behind the Iron Curtain. Hamilton formed a commercial and film production company in 1965; scored the feature films Repulsion, By Design, the television program Portrait of Willie Mays and the popular children's series Gerald McBoing Boing, and scored hundreds of commercials for TV and radio.
He performed at Montreux Jazz Festival in 1972 and 1973, then formed a new group called Players in 1975 with Arthur Blythe, Steve Turre, Barry Finnerty and AbdullahTemplate:Disambiguation needed; also, wrote and performed the musical score for the movie Coonskin in same year. Hamilton toured with Players using different personnel in 1976-80; recorded for Blue Note, Mercury Records, and Elektra. Originating faculty member in 1987 of New School University Jazz and Contemporary Music Program.
He formed another group named Euphoria in 1987 with Eric Person, Cary DeNigris and Reggie Washington; recorded Euphoria and toured Europe with the group 1987, 1988, 1990. Performed at Verona, Bolzano, Vienne, Nice, North Sea Jazz Festival and Montreux Jazz Festivals in 1989 with regrouped original quintet with Buddy Collette, Fred Katz, John Pisano, Carson Smith; recorded Reunion for Soul Note. For Soul Note records Arroyo with Euphoria group, Trio! w. Eric Person, Cary DeNigris, Eric Dolphy tribute My Panamanian Friend with Euphoria group, and solo drum session Dancing to a Different Drummer. Toured Europe with Euphoria in 1994. Hamilton was the subject of a documentary film by director Julian Benedikt, Dancing to a Different Drummer.
Later career
Hamilton released Foreststorn in 2001 featuring Euphoria with Cary DeNigris on guitar, Paul Ramsey on bass, and a new two horn front line featuring Eric Lawrence on alto and soprano saxes and Evan Schwam on tenor sax, as well as special guest appearances from former band members Arthur Blythe, Steve Turre and his wife Akua Dixon, Eric Person, former Spin Doctors guitarist Eric Schenkman (a student of Chico's), Blues Traveler front man John Popper (also a student of Chico's), and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones. In August 2001 he performed in front of 2300 people at Lincoln Center My Funny Valentine: A Tribute to Chico Hamilton with Euphoria plus special guest appearances from Joe Beck, Arthur Blythe, Larry Coryell, Akua Dixon, Rodney Jones and Eric Person. In fall 2002 he released Thoughts of… with Euphoria, with special guest appearances from guitarists and former band members Joe Beck, Larry Coryell and Rodney Jones.
In 1997, Hamilton received the New School University Jazz and Contemporary Music Programs Beacons in Jazz Award in recognition for his "significant contribution to the evolution of Jazz." In 2002, he was awarded the WLIU-FM Radio Lifetime Achievement Award. At the IAJE in NYC January 2004, Hamilton was awarded a NEA Jazz Master Fellowship, presented to him by Roy Haynes. In December 2006, Congress confirmed the President's nomination of Chico Hamilton to the Presidents Council on the Arts. And in 2007, Hamilton received a Living Legend Jazz Award as part of The Kennedy Center Jazz in Our Time Festival, as well as receiving a Doctor of Fine Arts from The New School.
In 2006, he released four CDs on Joyous Shout! in celebration of his 85th birthday: Juniflip featuring guest appearances from Love front-man Arthur Lee, vocalist (and successful actor) Bill Henderson, and former Hamilton band members trombonist George Bohanon and bass trombonist Jimmy Cheatham; Believe with special guest appearances from vocalist and rhythm and blues singer Fontella Bass and trombonist George Bohanon; 6th Avenue Romp featuring special guest appearances from guitarist Shuggie Otis, trumpeter Jon Faddis, trombonist George Bohanon, vocalist Brenna Bavis and percussionist Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers Band; and Heritage with special guest appearances from vocalist Marya Lawrence and trombonist George Bohanon. In September 2007, he released Hamiltonia sampling his original compositions from the four albums released in 2006.
Over the years, Hamilton had a series of dance successes, including his signature song "Conquistadors" from his 1960s Impulse album El Chico, and the Brazilian influenced song "Strut" from Hamilton's 1980 Elektra album, Nomad, which became so successful on the Northern Soul scene in the U.K. that it had its own dance. In 2002 a track titled "For Mods Only" from Hamilton's 1968 Impulse album The Dealer, was included on the Thievery Corporation's Sounds from the Verve Hi-Fi. In 2006, Rong Music released the 12" vinyl Kerry's Caravan from Mudd and Chico Hamilton, with remixes from long-term Idjut Boys collaborator and Fiasco imprint boss Ray Mang. And the recent Impulsive! Revolutionary Jazz Reworked Remix Project features Mark De Clive-Lowe's remix of Chico's song "El Toro." Released in December 2007 from SoulFeast (Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell and Brian Michel Bacchus) is a 12" single on 180 gram vinyl of their recasting of Chico's track "Mysterious Maiden," in 2008 from SoulFeast is a CD EP Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico, and in 2009 a 12" double vinyl version of Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico.
Hamilton released Twelve Tones of Love on Joyous Shout! in 2009. From Maxwell Chandler’s liner notes: "Chico Hamilton looks back not as a summation but with the past as a jumping off point to where he is now; the foundation to build off of what he has to say in the here and now. This album has Chico writing for and playing with an enlarged ensemble, offering us a glimpse of his life’s journey and some of those he has shared it with."
In March 2011, with his 90th birthday six months off, Hamilton trekked out of his New York City penthouse apartment to helm a marathon recording session resulting in 28 new tracks with his Euphoria group. No one woodsheds like a jazz drummer, and coming off a health setback during the Summer of 2010, Hamilton and his Euphoria group began sheding at weekly rehearsals at Hamilton’s Penthouse A. These weekly rehearsals played an important part in Hamilton’s rehabilitation, facilitated Hamilton and his group becoming very tight with each other and exploring places musically they had not previously gone together, and brought together a wealth of new original material, offered up in three courses, each of which is a different viewpoint of Hamilton’s Revelation.
The Revelation EP on 10” vinyl, Hamilton’s very first recording as a leader, Chico Hamilton Trio in 1955 on Pacific Jazz with Howard Roberts & George Duvivier, was pressed up on 10” vinyl. So it seemed a fitting tribute to Chico’s longevity as a leader for a selection of Chico originals, two tracks of which are exclusive to this format, 58 years later to be presented in the same format.
The Revelation was an 11-track CD, which opens and closes with a focus on Hamilton at his drum kit, and in-between takes us on a different journey from both the melodic and rhythmic points of view. From the up-tempo Latin groove of "Evanly" with its vocal out chorus; the mid tempo swing of "No Way LA" and "Ten Minutes To Twelve"; the Lunceford-like band vocals on "Stompin’ at The Savoy" and "It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing)"; to Hamilton’s vocalizing on "Every Time I Smile"; the pastoral melodic beauty of "You’re Note Alone"; the up-tempo funk of "Black Eyed Peas"; and the bossa funkiness of "Foot Prints in the Sand".
Hamilton died on November 25, 2013, in Manhattan.
Discography
As leader
- 1955: Chico Hamilton Trio (10" LP)
- 1955: Chico Hamilton Quintet feat. Buddy Collette
- 1960: Original Chico Hamilton Quintet
- 1956: Chico Hamilton Quintet In Hi-Fi
- 1956: Chico Hamilton Trio (12" LP)
- 1957: Chico Hamilton Quintet
- 1957: Zen: The Music Of Fred Katz
- 1957: Sweet Smell Of Success
- 1958: South Pacific In Hi-Fi
- 1958: Chico Hamilton Trio intro. Freddie Gambrel
- 1959: Ellington Suite (1958 version with Eric Dolphy released 2000)
- 1959: With Strings Attached
- 1959: Gongs East!
- 1959: The Three Faces Of Chico
- 1959: That Hamilton Man
- 1960: Bye Bye Birdie/Irma La Douce
- 1960 'Chico Hamilton Special
- 1962: Drumfusion
- 1962: Litho
- 1962: A Different Journey
- 1962: Passin' Thru (Impulse!)
- 1963: The Great Chico Hamilton Featuring Paul Horn (Crown Records CLP 5341)
- 1963: Man from Two Worlds (Impulse!)
- 1965: Chic Chic Chico (Impulse!)
- 1966: El Chico (Impulse!)
- 1966: The Further Adventures of El Chico (Impulse!)
- 1966: The Dealer (Impulse!)
- 1967: The Best of Chico Hamilton
- 1968: The Gamut
- 1969: The Head Hunters
- 1970: El Exigente/The Demanding One
- 1973: The Master
- 1974: Live At Montreux (with Albert King and Little Milton)
- 1975: Peregrinations
- 1976: The Players
- 1977: Catwalk
- 1979: Reaching For The Top
- 1980: Nomad
- 1988: Euphoria
- 1990: Transfusion
- 1991: Reunion
- 1992: Arroyo
- 1993: Trio!
- 1994: My Panamanian Friend (The Music Of Eric Dolphy)
- 1994: Dancing To A Different Drummer
- 1998: Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Chico Hamilton Quintet
- 1999 Timely
- 2000: Original Ellington Suite (recorded 1958)
- 2001: Foreststorn
- 2002: Thoughts Of...
- 2006: Juniflip
- 2006: Believe
- 2006: 6th Avenue Romp
- 2006: Heritage
- 2007: Hamiltonia
- 2007: Mysterious Maiden 12” 180 gram vinyl
- 2008: It's About Time EP
- 2008: Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El Chico EP
- 2008: Andrew Hill and Chico Hamilton- Dreams Come True
- 2008: Trio! Live @ Artpark
- 2009: The Alternative Dimensions of El Chico 12” double vinyl
- 2009: Twelve Tones of Love
- 2011: Revelation EP 10" vinyl
- 2011: Euphoric EP
- 2011: Revelation
As sideman
With Gábor Szabó
- Spellbinder (Impulse!, 1966)
