THE CHICO HAMILTON QUINTET

Biography

Foreststorn 'Chico' Hamilton (September 20, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader born in Los Angeles, California. He began his career as a teenager playing in a school band with future jazz luminaries like Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon, and Buddy Collette. Hamilton made his recording debut with Slim Gaillard in 1941, worked as house drummer at Billy Berg’s, toured with Lionel Hampton, and served in the military from 1942-1946. Post-military, he collaborated with Jimmy Mundy, Count Basie, Lester Young (recording together), and notably toured with Lena Horne from 1948-1955 while gaining recognition in Gerry Mulligan’s pianoless quartet alongside Chet Baker from 1952-1953.[1][2][3][4][6]

In 1955, Hamilton formed his groundbreaking quintet in Los Angeles, featuring unconventional instrumentation: flute/saxes/clarinet by Buddy Collette, guitar by Jim Hall, cello by Fred Katz, and bass by Carson Smith (initially Jim Aton). This chamber jazz ensemble, one of the last major West Coast jazz bands, shocked the jazz world with its cool jazz sound, blending subtlety and creativity. The group gained popularity through live broadcasts, East Coast tours (including opposite Clifford Brown-Max Roach), and appearances in films like 'The Sweet Smell of Success' (1957) and 'Jazz on a Summer’s Day' (1958). Personnel evolved with Paul Horn, John Pisano, Charles Lloyd, Gábor Szabó, and others through 1965, maintaining the cello-flute-guitar format until around 1962 when Hamilton shifted styles.[1][2][3][4]

After disbanding the quintet in 1966, Hamilton composed for commercials and studios, then led diverse groups spanning avant-garde, post-bop, and jazz fusion, mentoring talents like Larry Coryell and Arthur Blythe. He reformed innovative ensembles, such as his 1961 group with Charles Lloyd and a 1986 sextet with young altos, performing at major venues like Lincoln Center. Hamilton's legacy endures as a pioneer of chamber jazz and supporter of innovative jazz voices across seven decades.[2][3]

Fun Facts

• The quintet's mixed-race and innovative instrumentation made it a bold statement in 1950s Long Beach, then 'redneck country,' yet it succeeded despite challenges.[4]
• Hamilton's 1955 trio album was the first to feature guitar, bass, and drums as solo instruments, elevating them beyond rhythm section roles.[4]
• The quintet appeared opposite the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet at Basin Street East in 1956, marking the first East Coast-West Coast jazz pairing in New York.[1]
• In 1962, Hamilton's group recorded the soundtrack for 'Litho,' the first American film shown behind the Iron Curtain.[3]

Members

• Chico Hamilton - drums (drum set), eponymous, original
• Gábor Szabó

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Gerry Mulligan - Bandleader in influential pianoless quartet that brought Hamilton national recognition (Gerry Mulligan Quartet recordings (1952-1953)) [1952-1953]

Key Collaborators

• Buddy Collette - Original flutist/saxophonist/clarinetist in quintet (Chico Hamilton Quintet albums (1955-1957)) [1955-1957]
• Jim Hall - Original guitarist in quintet (Chico Hamilton Quintet albums (1955-1957)) [1955-1957]
• Fred Katz - Original cellist in quintet, switched from piano (Chico Hamilton Quintet albums (1955-1958)) [1955-1958]
• Charles Lloyd - Saxophonist in later quintet lineup (The Chico Hamilton Special (1960), Columbia recordings) [1960-1961]
• Lena Horne - Drummer in touring band (Lena Horne tours and recordings) [1948-1955]

Artists Influenced

• Larry Coryell - Early fusion guitarist discovered and featured by Hamilton (Hamilton's groups post-1965) [1966]
• Arthur Blythe - Avant-garde saxophonist helped launched by Hamilton (Hamilton's advanced hard bop groups) [1970s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz