NEA Jazz Master Chico Hamilton CD Release Concert Series October 1, 2011

The sage drummer/bandleader and NEA Jazz Master Foreststorn "Chico" Hamilton celebrates his 90th birthday without any hesitation. This jazz legend just released a new album "Revelation" (Joyous Shout 9/27/11) and premieres tracks off it at a monthly concert series at DROM from October - December. A testament to his strength as a bandleader, Chico assembled talent both young and old: Paul Ramsey on bass; Nick Demopoulos on guitar; Evan Schwam on
flute & reeds; Mayu Saeki on flute; and Jeremy Carlstedt on drums and percussion.
Saluted by the Kennedy Center as a "Living Jazz Legend", and appointed to the National Council on the Arts, Chico is considered one of the most important living jazz artists and composers. Chico has a resume that includes scores for film, original compositions, commercial jingles, 60+ albums as a leader, and countless international tours. Born in Los Angeles, Chico 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. Over the next several years, Chico would become instrumental in developing the
West Coast's cool jazz sound. Some of the varying awards bestowed on him over his lifetime include: the New School University Jazz & Contemporary Music Program's Beacons in Jazz Award; the WLIU-FM Radio Lifetime Achievement Award; a NEA Jazz Master Fellowship, presented to him by Roy Haynes.

Official Website: http://www.dromnyc.com