Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Chico Hamilton, born September 21st, 1921 in Los Angeles, had a fast track musical education in a band with his schoolmates Charles Mingus, Illinois Jacquet, Ernie Royal, Dexter Gordon, Buddy Collette and Jack Kelso.

Chico's engagements with Lionel Hampton, Slim & Slam, T-Bone Walker, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Barnett, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and six years with Lena Horne established this young West Coast prodigy as a jazz drummer on the rise, before striking out on his own as a bandleader in 1955.

Over the years, Chico has had a series of dance floor successes, including his signature song "Conquistadors" from his 60's Impulse album "El Chico", and the Brazilian influenced song "Strut" from Chico's 1979 outing on Elektra "Nomad", which became so successful on the Northern Soul Scene in the U.K. that it had its own dance!!

In 1997, Chico received the New School University Jazz & Contemporary Music Programs Beacons in Jazz Award in recognition for his "significant contribution to the evolution of Jazz". In 2002, Chico was awarded the WLIU-FM Radio Lifetime Achievement Award. At the IAJE in NYC January 2004, Hamilton was awarded a NEA Jazz Master Fellowship, presented to him by Roy Haynes. In December 2006, Congress confirmed the President?s nomination of Chico to the Presidents Council on the Arts. And in 2007, Chico received a Living Legacy Jazz Award as part of The Kennedy Centers Jazz in Our Time Festival, as well as receiving a Doctor of Fine Arts from The New School.

Dynamic as ever at the age of 86, Chico Hamilton has a resume that includes scores for film, original compositions, commercial jingles, 50 + albums as a leader, and countless international tours. Chico is presently teaching at New School University Jazz Program; touring extensively in North America with "Euphoria" group which includes Cary DeNigris on guitar, Paul Ramsey on bass, Evan Schwam on flute, tenor and soprano saxes, and Ian Young on flute, alto and baritone saxes, and Jeremy Carlstedt on percussion; recording with his "Euphoria" group and special guests; composing and performing music for film; and working on an autobiography.

Chico Hamilton is now playing the Vater Chico Hamilton model, Retractable Wire Brush and T-4 Mallets.

www.myspace.com/chicohamilton

Scott Pittman, longtime Vater artist, has posted a tribute to Vater page. Check it out here!

Scott Pittman

April 8th, 2008

Vater Welcomes Raymond Pounds to Artist Family Raymond Pounds has been a professional drummer for over 35 years. Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ray knew from a very early age he wanted to be a professional musician. Relocating with his family to California in the early 60's, Raymond attended Locke High where his interest in music grew. He studied drums under Clarence Johnston for many years and attended Los Angeles City College before becoming a professional musician in his late teens. Raymond?s first major professional position was drummer for Stevie Wonder where he went on to record "Songs in the Key of Life." with Stevie. In addition to touring and recording with Stevie Wonder as part of the famed ?Wonderlove Band?, Raymond has also toured with Barry White, Deneice Williams, Lou Rawls, The Temptations and others. Raymond Pounds has recorded with many major artists like, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Ronnie Laws, Ice Cube, and Sergio Mendes just to name a few. His TV and film credits include The Tonight Show, Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Name That Tune, (Drummer for 2 seasons), VH-1 Classic Albums: "Songs in the Key of Life", Soul Train, American Bandstand, Hard To Kill (movie), The Jackson's (mini-series), The Young and the Restless and many more. His theatre credits include "Blues In The Night", "Play On!" and "Dinah Was." Raymond is also a song write and has written songs for Jeffery Osborne, Cheryl Lynn, and A Taste Of Honey. LIVE PERFORMANCES / RECORDING CREDITS Steven Bishop Earl Klugh James Brown Gladys Knight Ice Cube Hubert Laws Bob Dylan Ronnie Laws Herbie Hancock Sergio Mendes Miki Howard Les McCann The Jackson's Greg Phillinganes Michael Jackson Diana Ross Jermaine Jackson The Pointer Sisters LaToya Jackson Tracy Spencer Booker T. Jones The Temptations Quincy Jones Dionne Warwick Chakka Kahn Stevie Wonder Baby Face Sean "Puffy" Combs Aretha Franklin Raymond Pounds is now using the Vater Recording model and misc. brushes "I play all kinds of music, sometimes very loud and sometimes very soft. The Vater Recording stick works perfectly for every musical situation I encounter." - Raymond Pounds www.raymondpounds.com

March 14th, 2008

Shay Godwin has a new website where artists can submit songs and have Shay record custom drum tracks right from his studio and send them back to the artist. Check out edrumsessions.com for more information on how to get custom drum tracks online from Shay.

Shay Godwin

January 30th, 2008

Congratulations to Morgan and Teri Rose on the birth of their son Johnas Jack Rose, born on January 8th and weighing in at 7lbs 13 oz.

Morgan Rose

Congrats to Xavier Muriel and Buckcherry for their album 15 being certified Platinum! Buckcherry have been in the studio working on their new forthcoming release. Check out the video of Buckcherry performing "Sorry" on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno here: www.myspace.com/vaterpercussion

Xavier Muriel

Chad Stewart is hitting the road with LA Guns for February and some of March, and then going to Japan with Gilby Clark and then back with LA Guns for a tour of South America.

Cody Hanson is in the studio with Hinder working on their new batch of songs for the next album.

Cody Hanson

Fred Eltringham has been busy recording with some solo artists while at home. Fred's recorded new records for Keith Gattis, Chetes, Jen Foster,Teddy Larkin,Angaleena Presley as well as New York based band, Sundown. For more news and upcoming tour dates, go to Fred's MySpace at: www.myspace.com/eltringhamfred

Fred Eltringham

Jim Riley has a bunch of clinics coming up on his off days with the Rascal Flatts. Check out Vater's clinics/events page for more info.

Jim Riley

Matt Greiner (August Burns Red) will be hitting the road for the 2008 Take Action! Tour in March and then spend April and May on a European/Canadian tour. August Burns Red will also be on the Warped Tour for June and July. Matt has also posted a layout of his latest kit. Check it out here.

Italian Vater Artist Furio Chirico has been confirmed to perform the Verona Prog Fest on June 6th 2008 with his band "Arti & Mestieri". Furio will also be working on the second album for his trio project "Furio Chirico & Friends".

Furio Chirico

Dave Krusen has been doing some demo recordings with Chris Robinson.

Dave Krusen

December 18th, 2007

Brian Tichy opened for the reunited Led Zeppelin on December 10th, playing with Foreigner, at London's 02 Arena.

Brian Tichy

It's no surprise that Stewart Copeland and The Police are the highest grossing tour of 2007. The reunited band brought in over 212 million with more than 1.8 million tickets sold world wide.

Here's a helicopter shot of The Police show in Rio De Janeiro:

Sammy J. Watson and the Apex Theory have gone ahead and changed the band name to "Mt. Helium". Sammy and the band will be releasing their new full length cd real soon.

Sammy J. Watson

Ralph Rolle has a new web site up and running... www.ralphrolle.com

Some news from Vater Artist Dave Allen:

"After touring internationally in the past with Michelle Branch and Aussie band, BROTHER I am now off the road and in Los Angeles. 2007 has been a great year for me. I have been focusing my energy towards studio work but am still enjoying playing live in L.A. as much as I can. I really enjoy the two different creative processes and find great stimulation from performing live as well as tracking drums in the studio."

"This year I have recorded drums with three different CBS Record's artists. Will Dailey, PJ Olsson whose record 'American Scream' is out now and Karmina whose record 'The Kiss' will be released in January. Their songs are being played on some of CBS television's biggest shows. I also recorded a track for the upcoming CBS Christmas Special '9th Annual, A Home for the holiday with Sheryl Crow', airing December 21st, 2007."

"I have been recording with Donna Delory (Madonna's long time back up singer, since '87) and her new record will be released in January. I have also played many live shows with her this year with an amazing, session cellist by the name of Cameron Stone (Herbie Hancock, Avril Lavigne and many others) I have been rehearsing with Adam Cohen (Leonard Cohen's son) for a mini tour of Israel and Europe next March. The tour is billed as: 'Adam Cohen sings Leonard Cohen'. Leonard's wife Anjani (a singer in her own right) will be joining us for the performances. Leonard will be joining us for the tour too and Guest performing on a song or two. We will also be recording these new versions of Leonard's songs in the new year. I have also been busy recording drum cues for the Independent Film Network's comedy, 'The Whitest Kids You Know' and drum samples for PBS's 'Curious George' the cartoons."

"I tracked drums on the title song for a new Steve McQueen documentary. I have also recorded drums for many Indie artists this year. Notably Manda Mosher whose record is almost complete. We cut basic tracks at the legendary, 'House of Blues Studios' up in the hills. I use Vater drumsticks for all my recordings. Primarily, Fusions and Power 5A's but others as well depending on the song or cue."

"That's it for now.
The music continues...
Vater continues...

Happy Holidays everyone!!"

-Dave Allen

Dave Allen

December 8th, 2007

UK Vater Artist Craig Blundell has a new web site up and running. Be sure to check it out at www.craigblundell.net

Craig Blundell

Former Satelite Party drummer Kevin Figueiredo has been named the new drummer for the reuinted Boston based band, Extreme. Extreme is finishing up their first record of new material in 13 years and will be hitting the road in the Sping of 2008.

Kevin Figueiredo

Jose Medeles and The Breeders will release their new record, "Mountain Battles" in April of 2008.

Jose Medeles

Brian Tichy is touring Europe with Foreigner.

Brian Tichy

Mike Wengren and Disturbed are in Los Angeles mixing their upcomng release.

Mike Wengren

November 20th, 2007

Vater Percussion featured in Rock Band Video Game

Vater Percussion is featured in the new Rock Band game created by Harmonix, developers of the blockbuster Guitar Hero franchise. Rock Band is an all-new platform for gamers to experience music, giving players the chance to rock in the shoes of the biggest guitarists, bassists, drummers and singers of all time!

Rock out as the drummer for Vater Artists' bands, earn a Vater Drumstick Endorsement and unlock Vater clothing all within your journey to Rock Stardom in the Rock Band Game!

Drum along to tracks from Vater Artists such as Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jet and more! The authentic drum set controller, consisting of four drum pads and a kick drum pedal, has been designed to put the power of real rock 'n' roll rhythm in your hands.

Rock Band was released in stores on November 20, 2007.

www.vater.com
www.rockband.com

©2007 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.