"EUPHORIA is one of the city's most buoyant combos".
Come out and JOIN US for EUPHORIA Presents “Celebrating the Life & Music of Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton", featuring Chico's long-standing EUPHORIA ensemble on Sunday December 15th @ 7:15 PM @ DROM, 85 Ave A (b/w 5th & 6th Streets) in the East Village, NYC, NY 10009, Tel 212.777.1157 www.dromNYC.com. Cover $12 advance, $15 day of show.
Creating vivid, positive, uplifting, engaging & relevant music up until the end of his life, legendary drummer and NEA Jazz Master Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton passed away of natural causes on 11/25/13 at his apartment in New York City @ the age of 92.
The first of this monthly concert series in honor of Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton took place in November, and if you were not present then you missed a joyous evening with family and friends that raised the roof @ DROM in celebration of Chico.
Featuring Chico’s EUPHORIA ensemble with Paul Ramsey (bass), Evan Schwam (flute and reeds), Jeremy Carlstedt (drums and percussion), Nick Demopolous (guitar), and Mayu Saeki (flute), the set was a different journey thru compositions from Chico’s vivacious Joyous Shout! recordings, including “How’s Your Feelings” (Juniflip CD, 2006), “Happiness Prevails”, “Lynne’s Song” & “Penthouse A” (Twelve Tones of Love CD, 2009), and “No Way LA”, “P & E”, “Dilemma”, “Phyllis”, “Emergence” (Revelation CD/Euphoric EP CD, 2011), and two new compositions from Chico, “Joy of Spring” & “Albert’s Tune” (The Inquiring Mind CD, 2014).
In addition to the amazing music and musicianship, punctuating the evening’s festivities were reminiscences about their time spent with Chico from each member of the EUPHORIA ensemble, from Paul Ramsey who joined Chico ensemble 30 + years ago, to Mayu Saeki the newest member having joined the EUPHORIA ensemble 4 years ago.
In the New Year, there will be an official memorial for Chico (stay tuned for details), Chico’s The Inquiring Mind CD will be released on Joyous Shout!, and the EUPHORIA Presents “Celebrating the Life & Music of Foreststorn ‘Chico’ Hamilton" monthly concert series will resume @ DROM.
Between March and September 2013 Chico was composing, arranging & breaking in new original material during weekly rehearsals @ his apartment, Penthouse A, in New York City.
In October 2013 Chico went back in the studio with the EUPHORIA ensemble & featured guests trombonist George Bohanon and fellow NEA Jazz Master trumpeter Jimmy Owens, recording 19 tracks to be released as The Inquiring Mind.
From the The Inquiring Mind liner notes by Maxwell Chandler:
"Painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) from his home "Les Collettes" on the Mediterranean Cost of Cagnes-Sur-Mer in the Autumn of his career once said:
‘I think I am beginning to learn something about it (painting).’
This was no wry comment. After a lifetime spent in service to the muse, his work achieved a special strength; experience allowing all that is superfluous to fall aside leaving only an artistic wisdom and truth. Chico now finds himself in a similar position, having followed his own North Star in singular fashion for over half a century. Chico's work philosophy has facilitated the continuation of an artistic voyage whose progress has yet to slow down. Despite his pedigree, one finds themselves with every recent release never faced with a mere victory lap but further steps along the journey.
This album presents a catalyst for aurally induced reverie. A thousand thoughts, each a color which further paints a picture that is always compelling; emphasizing different aspects of itself with each listen. In the ultimate act of entrainment, our heartbeats echo the distant throb of the big bang. Now the universe sets its toes to tapping to the sound of the cymbals. Everyone is happy for the same reasons but each in their own way. Chico continues to keep time in rhythm and emotion."
We hope to see you @ DROM to celebrate the life and music of this man we called Chico.
As Chico would say, "We expect each and every one of you in your respective seats on 12/15, and if you can’t make it out, just send in the money."
