Chico Hamilton

Composer, conductor and drummer who formed his first band with schoolmates Ernie Royal, Charlie Mingus and Illinois Jacquet. He played in the orchestras of Lionel Hampton, Lester Young, Floyd Ray, Jim Mundy, Count Basie and Charlie Barnet. He formed a quartet with Gerry Mulligan in 1952, and then led his own quartet. Joining ASCAP in 1959, his popular-instrumental compositions include "Morning After" and "Theme from Gerald McBoing Boing".