WINTER 1996/1997

Hi!!!!

You may have been hearing the talk about the incendiary performances over the Summer of '96 by legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Chico Hamilton and his Euphoria group at the Festival Int'l De Jazz De Montreal (broadcast throughout all of Canada by CBC French Radio), or at the Ford Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival on two different stages in one day (broadcast throughout all of the US by NPR), or at the Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors Festival for 9000 people, or perhaps you have been further afoot and heard about Chico's performances at the Brecon Jazz Festival (broadcast throughout Wales on BBC Wales) in Wales, or Chico's first ever performance in Portugal on the Jazz Em Agosto Festival. All of these events were pieces of the puzzle added in 1996 towards the completion of the Chico Hamilton Renaissance.

Back in June '96 JOYOUS SHOUT! joined the world of innovative and cutting edge online multimedia with the launch of our very own web site at www.joyousshout.com. The JS! web page is being updated approximately every 45-60 days. I consider this new presence on the web another piece to the puzzle of bringing to fruition the Chico Hamilton Renaissance. This puzzle started to come together back in 1992 with a series of recordings by Chico for the Italian Soul Note label, including two albums which placed in the DOWN BEAT READER'S POLL for "Jazz Album of the Year": Chico Hamilton & Euphoria- ARROYO in 1992 and Chico Hamilton- DANCING TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER in 1995.

The next piece of the puzzle was constant touring in Europe, including tours with his Euphoria group in Spring 1994 in Germany, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, England and France, with his Euphoria group in Fall 1994 with another week in France, with his TRIO! group in Spring 1995 in France for another two weeks, with his TRIO! group in Summer 1995 in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, and with his Euphoria group in Winter 1995/96 in France for an 11 day tour of 9 major cities. Added were the next pieces of the puzzle in November 1994, June 1995, and May 1996 with the broadcast of the documentary film CHICO HAMILTON: DANCING TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER on the cooperative French/German Arts Network ARTE and the German 3 -SAT Network, the premiere of which drew a audience of 165,000 viewers in France and 50,000 viewers in Germany. Added next was a higher touring profile in North America with incendiary live performances at JazzCharlotte twice, at Wave Hill (the Toscanini Mansion in NY), at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, at the Ottawa Jazz Festival, at the Downstairs at the Metropolis Club (in NYC), at the Art Park Jazz Festival, at the Yardbird Suite (Edmonton), at the Painted Bride Arts Center (Philly), at the Five Spot (in NYC), at the Lake George Jazz Weekend, and Flushing Town Hall (NY), among many others.

Negotiations are now ongoing for a new recording contract for Chico to entail both his Euphoria and Trio! groups, and negotiations are also now ongoing for the release of the Different Drummer Collective's SECRET PLACE OF THUNDER, the JOYOUS SHOUT! produced "acid jazz" tribute to Chico, "the original groove master."

Watch the puzzle become complete as the Chico Hamilton Renaissance continues through 1997!!!! For further assistance, booking enquiries, or to set up interviews for print or on air, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks...Peace...Keep the Faith. J.A.C.