Chico Hamilton

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Chico was a jazz drummer and band leader who came to prominence with artists including Count Basie, Lena Horne, Lester Young and more. Other early career gigs included Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, Billy Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr. and Fred Astaire. In the mid ‘50s Chico recorded his first work as a band leader, employing an unusual quintet line-up which included a cello. This quintet has been described as one of the last important West Coast jazz bands. He also recreated this group in early ‘60s in what was described as Chamber Jazz with “moderate avant-gardism.” He recorded over 50 albums as a band leader releasing albums right into his 90s! He later formed a commercial film and production company which scored feature films and television programs, as well as hundreds of commercials for TV and radio.

Chico received numerous awards including from the International Association for Jazz Education their NEA Jazz Master Fellowship, presented to him by Roy Haynes (2004) and Living Legacy Jazz Award as part of The Kennedy Centers Jazz in Our Time Festival (2007)

Chico used Broadkaster and 6 ply “Round Badge” drums and USA Custom drums from 1958 through to 1978.