DECEMBER 1998

**JUST ANNOUNCED: CHICO HAMILTON & EUPHORIA PLACE FOR THE 7TH STRAIGHT YEAR IN 1998'S 63RD ANNUAL DOWNBEAT READER'S POLL IN THE ELECTRIC JAZZ GROUP CATEGORY AND CHICO HIMSELF PLACES AGAIN IN THE DRUMS CATEGORY**

Joyous Shout! is proud to announce that legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Chico Hamilton will be performing with his "Euphoria" group, featuring Eric Person on saxes, Cary DeNigris on guitar, and Paul Ramsey on bass, on December 4, 1998 at "Jazz Live" from Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY tel. 718.463.7700. This is Chico's second appearance on this series, the first one having been one of the most well attended of that Season, and there will be two sets at 8 PM & 10 PM. This program is presented by Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Additional support is provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Office of Queens Borough President, Hon. Claire Shulman.

This will be the last NYC show of 1998, and then January '99 kicks of with Chico and his "Euphoria" group performing on the "Jazz En El Tambo" Festival in Uruguay, then performing on the Whiskey A Go Go 35th Anniversary Celebration in West Hollywood, CA on a bill which include the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and the Mighty Clouds of Joy, and then to finish off January will be recording their first album as part of a new recording contract for Chico soon to be announced. Chico has also keeping busy with speaking engagements following up on his being featured on the cover of the journal "Black Issues in Higher Education", and working on his autobiography, a children's book, and a screenplay based on his early years on the Central Avenue scene in Los Angeles.

We are happy to bring to your attention that Ovation, the new cable arts network, presenter of the US TV debut Fall '97 of the Chico Hamilton documentary film, DANCING TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER, rebroadcast the film four times in April '98. We are even more proud to announce that Chico will be receiving the Mannes/New School "Beacons of Jazz" award, in recognition for his "significant contribution to the evolution of jazz." Throughout the Fall of '97, Chico and his Euphoria group performed to a SOLD OUT audience on the JAZZ AT WOODSTOCK series, and performed on their first tour in Greece to SOLD OUT audiences for 7 nights in Athens, and 1 night each in Kastoria and Thessaloniki. We are looking forward to an imminent announcement of a new recording deal for Chico, and building upon the successes of the last few years we feel that 1999 will really be a remarkable year in the further adventures of Chic, Chic, Chico!! In 1997, Chico and his Euphoria group were honored to spend 5 days in Albi, France where Chico was Artist in Residence (doing clinics, master classes, a performance with a local big band doing arrangements of his music, and several shows with his Euphoria group), and if you will remember Chico's 10 city tour of France in 1996 was declared the Cultural Event of the Month by a national daily newspaper. Also in 1997 was a 7 day tour of the UK with barnstorming dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle,Liverpool, Cambridge, Birmingham, Norwich and London. In London Chico also shot a feature for the NBC Europe show 'Talking Jazz' which broadcast this past Fall, following up on the success of the European premiere of the documentary film 'Chico Hamilton- Dancing To A Different Drummer' on the French/German Arts Network ARTE which was seen by 165,000 viewers.

Both Chico and myself will look forward to the possibility of entertaining your audiences in 1999!! Feel free to contact me for more information or update promotional materials...

Please give a shout out if you are in need of any additional assistance or information...

Thanks.

Peace.

Keep the Faith.

Jeffrey