Chico Hamilton

Chico Hamilton
Chico Hamilton appearing at the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tompkins Square Park, New York City, August 26, 2007
Background information
Birth name	Foreststorn Hamilton
Born	(1921-09-20)September 20, 1921 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	November 25, 2013(2013-11-25) (aged 92) New York, New York, U.S.
Genres	Cool jazz, West Coast jazz, Progressive jazz, Free-jazz, Soul-jazz, Hard bop, Post-bop, Crossover jazz, Jazz funk, Boogaloo
Occupation(s)	Drummer
Instruments	Drums
Associated acts	Dexter Gordon, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Count Basie

Foreststorn "Chico" Hamilton, (September 20, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader.

He came to prominence as sideman with the likes of Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, Count Basie and Lena Horne. Hamilton then struck out as a bandleader, first with a quintet featuring the cello as a lead instrument, an unusual choice for a jazz band in the 1950s, and subsequently leading a number of groups over the years that performed cool jazz, post bop and jazz fusion.

Foreststorn Hamilton was born in Los Angeles, California, one of three brothers. Another brother was actor Bernie Hamilton.

Hamilton started his career in a band with 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 Barnet, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and Lena Horne established his career.