Jazz drummer and bandleader Chico Hamilton passed away in New York at the age of 92. He played with some of the greats, including Duke Ellington and sessions with Count Basie, and also had his own quintet.
According to Variety, Hamilton experimented widely as a bandleader and had over 60 albums with his Chico Hamilton Quintet.
The New York Times also noted that Hamilton’s subtle and melodic approach to the skins made him ideal for the understated style “cool jazz”, which his native Los Angeles was the epicenter of the movement. When the style had fallen out of favor in the mid-60’s Hamilton was already adapting to a bluesier sound.
Among Hamilton’s prestigious awards were the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award in 2004 and a Kennedy Center Living Jazz Legend Award in 2007. He also taught at the New School For Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York for more than 20 years.
Hamilton released the album Revelation at the age of 90 in 2011, and had already put together an album, Inquiring Minds, that was due to come out early 2014.
Hamilton is survived by a brother, Don; a daughter, Denise Hamilton; a granddaughter; and two great-granddaughters.