Legendary jazz drummer Chico Hamilton has died at age 92. Hamilton appeared in films, recorded over 60 albums and was known for having a knack for discovering young talent.
His publicist told The Associated Press that he died Monday from natural causes at his New York home. The news was also shared with fans on Facebook.
The Los Angeles native, born in 1921, was a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and named considered a living jazz legend by the Kennedy Center. He never stopped recording, completing an album called Inquiring Minds, which will be out next year.
Hamilton’s career started in Hollywood and he can be seen in the 1941 Fred astaire film You’ll Never Get Rich, reports Billboard. Before he became a bandleader, he performed with jazz icons Gerry Mulligan, Lester Young and Lionel Hamilton and played drums for singer Lena Horne. He also worked with Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr., among others.
In 1952, he began recording with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, playing a key role in Mulligan’s piano-less group. He climbed the ranks to bandleader starting in 1955.
Hamilton can also be seen in the 1955 Tony Curtis/Burt Lancaster film Sweet Smell of Success and wrote the music for Roman Polanski’s 1967 film Repulsion.
He is survived by his daughter, Denise; his brother Don, a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Helen, died in 2008.
image: Amazon
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