Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Foreststorn "Chico" Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, 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, Sarah Vaughn, 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.

Chico’s impact upon jazz includes the introduction of two unique and distinct sounds: first in 1955 with his “Original Quintet” which combines the sounds of his drums, the bass of Carson Smith, the guitar of Jim Hall, the cello of Fred Katz, and the flute of Buddy Collette; and the second in 1962 with his own drums, the bass of Albert Stinson, the guitar of Gabor Szabo, and the tenor sax of Charles Lloyd.

Dynamic as ever at the age of 84, Chico Hamilton has a resume that includes scores for film, original compositions, commercial jingles, 50 + albums as a leader, and countless international tours. Chico’s current CD release is “Juniflip”, featuring his "Euphoria" group with Cary DeNigris on guitar, Paul Ramsey on bass, Evan Schwam on flute, tenor and soprano saxes, Karolina Strassmayer on flute, alto and soprano saxes, Andrew Hadro on flute, alto and baritone saxes, and Jeremy Carlstedt on percussion. “Juniflip” also features guest appearances from: legendary Love front-man Arthur Lee; criminally under-rated vocalist (and successful actor) Bill Henderson; and former Hamilton band members trombonist George Bohanon and bass trombonist Jimmy Cheatham augmenting Chico’s “Euphoria” group on five tracks.

In 2002, Chico was awarded the WLIU-FM Radio Lifetime Achievement Award. At the IAJE in NYC January 2004, Hamilton was awarded a NEA Jazz Master Fellowship, presented to him by Roy Haynes. Chico is presently teaching at New School University Jazz Program; touring extensively in North America with "Euphoria" group; recording with his "Euphoria" group and special guests; composing and performing music for film; and working on autobiography.

Chico performs with his “Euphoria” group including Cary DeNigris on guitar, Paul Ramsey on bass, Evan Schwam on flute, tenor and soprano saxes, and Geoffrey Countryman on flute, alto and baritone saxes, and Jeremy Carlstedt on percussion.