An exciting new addition to the Blue Note vinyl reissue series comes from the Chico Hamilton archives. A new pressing of the drummer and bandleader’s classic 1955 Chico Hamilton Quintet with Buddy Collette will be released on September 5th.
Initially released on Pacific Jazz, the project paired Hamilton with Collette on woodwinds, Jim Hall on guitar, Fred Katz on cello, and Carson Smith on bass. Together, they conjured a version of chamber jazz that felt smooth, cinematic, and forward-thinking. The vinyl edition of The Tone Poet was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe jacket.
In 1955, Hamilton was just entering his career as a bandleader, but he had already established an impressive catalog as a drummer, dating back to his high school days in the 1930s, alongside legends like Charles Mingus and Dexter Gordon in Los Angeles. He also played with Collette during those years, setting the stage for their time together in Hamilton’s pioneering quintet.
When it came time to accompany this album, the unconventional choice of including a cellist in his band marked Hamilton as a creative visionary capable of blending jazz and classical sounds in refreshing ways. All Music Guide praised Hamilton’s quintet as “one of the last important West Coast jazz bands,” alluding to the cool jazz subgenre that flourished in California during Hamilton’s heyday.
Split between a live and a studio side, Chico Hamilton Quintet with Buddy Collette showcases the range of Hamilton’s band. The first half of the album puts an exploratory spin on jazz standards like “My Funny Valentine,” while the middle of the tracklist lets things rip without compromising the unique character of Hamilton’s approach.
Buy Chico Hamilton Quintet featuring Buddy Collette on vinyl now.
