BN-LA-622-G

Chico Hamilton And The Players

Released - 1976

Recording and Session Information

Sound Ideas Studios, NYC, March 9, 1976
Will Cornell Jr., alto sax; Arthur Blythe, alto, soprano sax; Rodney Jones, guitar; Steve Turre, electric bass; Chico Hamilton, drums, percussion; Abdullah, congas.

17125 (tk.9) Ole To Miles
17126 (tk.1) Adair
17130 (tk.12) Hooch
17192 (tk.4) La Noche De Bolero

Sound Ideas Studios, NYC, March 10, 1976
Will Cornell Jr., alto sax; Arthur Blythe, alto, soprano sax; Rodney Jones, guitar; Steve Turre, electric bass; Chico Hamilton, drums, percussion; Abdullah, congas.

17120 (tk.1/2) First Light

Sound Ideas Studios, NYC, March 11, 1976
Will Cornell Jr., alto sax #1,2; Arthur Blythe, alto, soprano sax #1,2; Rodney Jones, guitar #1,2; Steve Turre, electric bass; Chico Hamilton, drums, percussion; Abdullah, congas #1,2.

17127 (tk.2) Abdallah's Delight
17129 (tk.5) Mr. Sweets
17191 (tk.1) Sex Is A Cymbal

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
Mr. Sweets	Chico Hamilton	March 11 1976
First Light	Chico Hamilton	March 10 1976
Abdullah's Delight	Hamilton-Turre-Jones-Abdullah	March 11 1976
Olé To Miles	Chico Hamilton	March 9 1976
Side Two
Adair	Chico Hamilton	March 9 1976
Hooch	Chico Hamilton	March 9 1976
Sex Is A Cymbal	C. Hamilton-S. Turre	March 11 1976
La Noche De Bolero	Chico Hamilton	March 9 1976

Liner Notes

A giant is defined as "a person of extraordinary powers." I believe that Steve Turre, Arthur Blythe, Rodney Jones, Abdullah and Will Connell will someday become just that, giants in their respective fields of musical endeavor.

The players are: Steve Turre, - basses, trombone, shells. Everything he touches makes music. Arthur Blythe - also and soprano sax. The distinction of having his very own special sound, "warm and beautiful." Rodney Jones - guitar. How lucky can I get having raised some of the very best. Once again I'm blessed beyond a doubt. Abdullah - the personification of percussion. His touch, his time, his concept - all superb. Will Connell - alto sax and flute; the newest wave, married to incredible musicianship.

For the contributions that each and every one of these talented musicians gave to this album, I will always be grateful-

Understanding is a powerful thing and I believe that music is human emotion. Some very understanding people: Producer — Michael Cuscuna; Engineer - George Klabin, and his studio.
This really is me, for once — Foreststorm Chico Hamilton

CD Reissue Liner Notes

Placed in any perspective in contemporary American music, Chico Hamilton has been a unique and imaginative force on the scene since his first Pacific Jazz albums well over twenty years ago. As a bandleader; he developed a fresh sounding pianoless format with guitar, cello and often two saxophonists in small group setting. As a drummer, he developed his own style using Latin and jazz roots and developed his own sound with a distinctive set of cymbals that he has had for twenty, five years and with the first drum kit to do away with the bottom drum heads for a richer, different tone quality. As a composer, his work is again distinctive, and success has cume in the areas of film scores, commercial tunes and serious jazz. As a talent scout, one need only realize that Jim Hall, George DuviviÅ2RBudåy Collette, Paul Horn, Eric Dolphy, Gabor Szabo,'A1bertStinson, Garnett Brown, Charles Lloyd, Arnie Lawrence, Larry Coryell and a dozen other significant musicians were given the first major start in Chico's bands.

True, the past is the past. But it also evolves into the present during which time we find a Chico Hamilton who still possesses the qualities of growth and inventiveness. I have no doubts that the members of this aggregation Will eventually make their own names on the music scene.

This is the first album with Chico's current band to focus upon the pure playing strengths of its members and the fresh, prolific composing strengths of its leader. It was deeply gratifying to take part in the process of transferring to record the music and the spirit of this group. It as also a joy to watch an artist, who is as professional as he is creative, at work. Everyone connected with the band and the record worked with fervor and enthusiasm to see the project to a fulfilled completion.

The players' abilities are quite evident in the execution of the music herein. Black Arthur Blythe, one of the prime soloists in the band; has played with many significant figures on the new music scene in Los Ange1es and New York including Horace Tapscott, Stanley Crouch, Julius Hemphill and Azar Lawrence. His playing is supremely passionate and, at the same time, beautifully structured and disciplined. Steve Turre is a multi-talented artist who seems to breathe music. He is a bassist, trombonist, composer and arranger. He has worked with an incredibly diverse array of musicians and currently works with the Lee Konitz Nonet and the Woody Shaw Sextet, when time away from Chico's group permits.

Rodney Jones, just 19 years of age at the time of this recording, is a remarkably fluent, tone conscious guitarist. He is simultaneously a superior soloist and rhythm player. Abdullah is a powerful conga player from Cleveland who has worked in both structured and free contexts: His chops and his, tone illustrate the potential of the conga when treated as a serious and primary instrument. Reedman Will Connell is a respected free saxophonist and flutist whose stint with Chico has expanded his musical vocabulary and vision.

One note about the music on this disc. "Sex Is A Cymbal," the Hamilton-Turre duet, was a completely improvised piece recorded at the end of the last day of recording. Its spirit and empathy and rhythmic drive typify, for me, the music of Chico Hamilton and The Players, both on this album and live.

Michael Cuscuna