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Chico Hamilton

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Foreststorn Chico Hamilton (1921 to 2013) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader from Los Angeles. He began as a schoolboy in a band with, among others, Charles Mingus and Dexter Gordon. He then played with Lionel Hampton, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and Lena Horne. In 1941 he appeared in the film You'll Never Get Rich as a member of the band behind Fred Astaire. He recorded his first album as a leader in 1955 for Pacific Jazz.

Music and breakthrough

In that same year he formed a remarkable quintet in Los Angeles, with cello, flute, saxophones and clarinet, guitar, bass and drums. That the cello was given the leading voice was unusual in jazz in the 1950s. The first line-up consisted of Buddy Collette, the guitarist Jim Hall, the cellist Fred Katz and the bassist Jim Aton. The quintet was seen as one of the last important bands of West Coast jazz and appeared in the films Sweet Smell of Success from 1957 and Jazz on a Summer's Day from 1960. In 1961 Hamilton renewed his group with Charles Lloyd, Gábor Szabó, George Bohanon and Albert Stinson. That group played what has been called chamber jazz, with a moderate avant-gardism. Albums from that time are Passin' Thru and Man From Two Worlds.

Influence

Hamilton played Cool Jazz, post-bop and later jazz fusion. His significance lies in the way he built his groups: he gave young musicians such as Lloyd, Hall and Szabó room to develop. His soft, strikingly coloured line-up showed that jazz could be more than trumpets and saxophones.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a track from Passin' Thru and notice the guitar, the flute and the soft, subtle drums. Try to hear how Hamilton accompanies the band with brushes and light strokes without drowning it out.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists