Gone Lover (When Your Lover Has Gone) - Chico Hamilton, Swan, E.A.
The Ghost - Chico Hamilton, Collette, B.
I Want to Be Happy [Live][*] - Chico Hamilton, Caesar, Irving
Spectacular [Live][*] - Chico Hamilton, Hall, J.
Free Form [Live][*] - Chico Hamilton,
Walking Carson Blues [Live][*] - Chico Hamilton, Smith, C.
Buddy Boo [Live][*] - Chico Hamilton, Magidson
Stella by Starlight [Live][*] - Chico Hamilton, Washington, Ned
A Bark for Barksdale [Live][*] - Chico Hamilton, Mulligan, G.
The original Chico Hamilton Quintet was one of the last significant West Coast jazz bands of the cool era. Consisting of Buddy Collette on reeds (flute, clarinet, alto, and tenor), guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Carson Smith,... more » and the drummer/leader, the most distinctive element in the group's identity was cellist Fred Katz. The band could play quite softly, blending together elements of bop and classical music into their popular sound and occupying their own niche. Most of these performances were formerly quite rare and never reissued before. Highly recommended to jazz historians and to listeners who enjoy classic cool jazz. Packaged in a Digipak. Lone Hill Jazz. 2006.« less
The original Chico Hamilton Quintet was one of the last significant West Coast jazz bands of the cool era. Consisting of Buddy Collette on reeds (flute, clarinet, alto, and tenor), guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Carson Smith, and the drummer/leader, the most distinctive element in the group's identity was cellist Fred Katz. The band could play quite softly, blending together elements of bop and classical music into their popular sound and occupying their own niche. Most of these performances were formerly quite rare and never reissued before. Highly recommended to jazz historians and to listeners who enjoy classic cool jazz. Packaged in a Digipak. Lone Hill Jazz. 2006.
CD Reviews
A Neglected Master and his greatest group
John T. O'Connor | Ohio | 03/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There have been several Chico Hamilton Quintets, all including wonderful musicians, but to my ears, this is the very best. A young Jim Hall on guitar, Buddy Collette on reeds, Carson Smith originally on bass, Chico on drums and Fred Katz on cello. Cello? Yeah, jazz cello. Soft, understated, melodic and yet hard swinging music all the time. Chico was a great drummer and we all know that Jim Hall became one of the absolute greatest guitarists in the history of jazz. If you love jazz, buy this CD. If you love warm melodic music, buy this CD. If you love fantastic mood music, buy this CD. Okay, just buy this CD. It is one of the great ones."
Fresh from the fifties
S. Graham David | Italy | 05/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Chico Hamilton Quintet sounds as cool and fresh as ever, showing characteristic inventiveness in instrumental textures, rhythm, counterpoint - suave and refined."
A great set of tunes
P. Clemens | Jamestown, ND United States | 01/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard an excerpt from this CD on NPR one morning...had to pull over and write down the artist. Ordered it at my first opportunity, and have enjoyed every listening moment. If you like jazz, this is a great choice!"
Great Jazz
David R. Bessler | Wichita, KS | 03/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I was in Collage I listen to a Jazz radio station in Long Beach California. (The Jazz Knob) There was a program called "Sleepy's Hollow" which introduced me to Chico Hamiltion. I then bought this album and many others to follow. Over the years I lost in moving my whole collection of 50's jazz. Now with this purchase I have finally able to enjoy the music of my college days. This smooth jazz features Chico on drums using only the solf mallets. I have never forgotten "Blue Sands" and "My Funny Valentine" and now enjoy them again."
Chico Hamilton's Original Quintet
Peter J. Poulos | Sacramento,California | 11/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Without a Doubt, this is probably one of the Best representations you can get of the Original Hamilton Quintet. Sweet Simplicity are the words here, the sound quality for recording live at Stroller's in Long Beach Ca. 1955 is amazing! Jim Hall on Guitar and Buddy Collette on Flute, Sax, and Clarinet are Stunning along with Fred Jatz Cello and Carson Smith Bass, and Leader Hamilton's Small Jazz Kit Drums for the approach. The Material is Strong, there are tastes of Classical and Modern Jazz of the day, and in retrospect has aged well, and can be played today without fear of it showing limitations such as some of the "avant garde" sound or free jazz experiments that came about in the next decade. In my opinion Chico Hamilton's strongest groups were the ones he had from his first Leader Trio session on pacific Jazz 17 in 1954 with Howard Roberts and George Duvivier until 1966 featuring Gabor Szabo and Sadao Watanabe. This CD will be a Great Compliment to any Jazz Collection!! One Standout tune in this Album: Blue Sands...awesome, you can hear a different version on the DVD 1958 Newport Jazz Festival with Eric Dolphy and John Pisano."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1