Zen: The Music of Fred Katz

Chico Hamilton

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Zen: The Music of Fred Katz Review

by Scott Yanow

The second version of the Chico Hamilton Quintet consisted of three holdovers (drummer Hamilton, cellist Fred Katz and bassist Carson Smith), plus guitarist John Pisano and Paul Horn on alto, flute and clarinet. This obscure LP finds the group performing eight of Katz's originals, including the three-part "Suite for Horn," which adds three trombones and four woodwinds. Some of the music is overly precious and a bit fragile, but there are some swinging moments, making this a worthwhile (if difficult-to-find) Third Stream effort.