* Visit the JOYOUS SHOUT! online store to purchase autographed Chico Hamilton albums & memorabilia.
* Purchase Chico's Joyous Shout! releases at Amazon.com here!
* Watch the NEA Video Portrait of Chico Hamilton here!
* Listen to the NPR Morning Edition Feature on Chico Hamilton here!
* Listen to Chico featured on John Schaefer’s "Soundcheck" on WNYC-FM Radio here!
* Listen to Chico featured on The Jazz Session hosted by Jason Crane here!
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.
Chicos 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.
In 1997, Chico 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, Chico 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 to the Presidents Council on the Arts. And in 2007, Chico received a Living Legacy Jazz Award as part of The Kennedy Centers Jazz in Our Time Festival, as well as receiving a Doctor of Fine Arts from The New School.
Dynamic as ever at the age of 86, Chico 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 CD’s on Joyous Shout! in celebration of his 85th birthday: “Juniflip†featuring guest appearances from- legendary Love front-man Arthur Lee, criminally under-rated 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 tromboist George Bohanon.
September 2007, Chico released "Hamiltonia" sampling his original compositions from the four albums released in 2006. "Hamiltonia" is an impassioned statement of purpose- an emphatic endorsement of writing and performing THIS music in the NOW, the way the GREATS did in their time, and confirms Hamilton's status as one of the most important living jazz artists and composers.
Over the years, Chico has had a series of dance floor successes, including his signature song "Conquistadors" from his 60's Impulse album "El Chico", and the Brazilian influenced song "Strut" from Chico's 1979 outing on Elektra "Nomad", which became so successful on the Northern Soul Scene in the U.K. that it had its own dance!! "Conquistadors" also was the signature track for E-man when he rocked the dance floor at Frank's Cocktail Lounge in Brooklyn. In 2002 a track titled "For Mods Only" from Chico's 1968 Impulse album "The Dealer", was included on the Thievery Corporations "SOUNDS FROM THE VERVE HI-FI". This past Fall, Rong Music released the 12" vinyl Kerry's Caravan from Mudd & Chico Hamilton, a moody yet stunning slice of modern music and a molten melting pot ready made for filling the dance floor 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 Chicos classic 60s track El Toro. OUT NOW is the limited edition 12" 180 gram vinyl from SoulFeast (Brian Michel Bacchus & Joaquin "Joe" Claussell) with their reworking of "Mysterious Maiden" from Chico's 1980 "Nomad" release. Available thru www.dopejams.net ([email protected]). Also OUT NOW from Soulfeast is a CD & double vinyl 12" EP "Chico Hamilton Presents: Alternative Dimensions of El-Chico".
Chico is presently teaching at New School University Jazz Program; touring extensively in North America with "Euphoria" group which includes Cary DeNigris on guitar, Paul Ramsey on bass, Evan Schwam on flute, tenor and soprano saxes, and Anton Pyvovarov on flute, alto and baritone saxes, and Jeremy Carlstedt on percussion; recording with his "Euphoria" group and special guests; composing and performing music for film; and working on autobiography.
"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
OUT NOW from Chico are two new EPs- "It's About Time!" and "The Alternative Dimensions of El Chico". Paying homage to Chico's past, the "It's About Time! EP" revisits his first ever recording project as band leader/percussionist. In 1955, Chico recorded a trio album for Pacific Jazz with George Duvivier and Howard Roberts; fast-forward 53 years, and Chico has recasted it with his long time collaborators Cary DeNigris on guitar and Paul Ramsey on bass. According to Chico, both recordings emphasize the rhythm section as the lead instruments. "The bass and guitar serve as my right hand and left hand. I wanted the emphasis of the music to be on keeping time and swinging time, essentially, "It's About Time!". This EP features "Nuttye", a track composed by Chico's dear friend Jimmy Cheatham from the original 1955 session. "Cheatham passed away recently and we dedicate our version to him".
Chico's distinctive grooves have been rediscovered and refused in "The Alternative Dimensions of El Chico", a collection of dance/remix tracks and collaborative works with some of today's hottest turntablists including Fertile Ground, SoulFeast (Joe Claussell and Brian Michel Bacchus), Mark de Clive-Lowe, and Blaze. Chico's stature amongst tastemakers throughout the DJ community is longstanding and profound. Over the years, Chico has had a series of dance floor successes from his signature song "Conquistadors" to the Brazilian influenced "Strut". "I'm told that people still dance to my music in nightclubs," says Chico. "There's no greater compliment than that!"
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