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Chuck Riggs

Born in Westerly, Rhode Island in 1951, Chuck Riggs began playing the drums at the age of ten and played with many rhythm and blues bands before beginning his jazz career. In 1972 Chuck joined the Hamilton-Bates Blue Flames Band, which later became the Scott Hamilton Quartet. In 1976 Chuck moved to New York City at the request of the legendary jazz trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Chuck is a highly regarded jazz drummer with a deep understanding of the traditions of the idiom.

Chuck has appeared on over thirty albums for various labels, playing with some of the greatest names in jazz. Some of his most notable recordings include his many albums with Scott Hamilton on the Concord Jazz label; the soundtrack to the film "The Cotton Club", and a recreation of the music of King Oliver for the Smithsonian Institute. Chuck recently recorded his latest album with Scott Hamilton, which will be released later this year.

Chuck has been touring the world constantly since 1979. He regularly tours Japan with Scott Hamilton, including 1993 when the Scott Hamilton Quartet performed at the famous Blue Note Club. Chuck has also appeared in Japan on separate occasions with Maxine Sullivan, Rosemary Clooney, and Jay McShann, and is a regular performer at the Concord- Fujitsu Jazz Festival.

Chuck regularly tours Italy, Spain, France, Sweden and other countries with various artists. Chuck also performed extensively with the great Benny Goodman, in both big band and small group contexts.

Chuck reqularly performs at clubs and festivals throughout the United States, including Fat Tuesday's and Sweet Rhthym in New York City.

Chuck Riggs performed and or recorded with the following artists:

Ruby Braff, John Bunch, Rosemary Clooney, Al Cohn, Kenny Davern, Herb Ellis, Benny Goodman, Tiny Grimes, Scott Hamilton, Milt Hinton, Dick Hyman, Dave McKenna, Jay McShann, Flip Philips, Nat Pierce, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mel Powell, Maxine Sullivan, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, Warren Vache, Dick Wellstood, Bob Wilber.

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219
Album Review

Scott Hamilton and Harry Allen: Heavy Juice

Read "Heavy Juice" reviewed by Ken Franckling


This CD has been a recording waiting to happen for twenty years. Back then, highschooler Harry Allen joined Scott Hamilton on stage at the Newport Jazz Festival for a cameo performance with the George Wein-led Newport All-Stars. Allen grew up in Rhode Island, which also claims Hamilton as a native son. And Hamilton certainly was a role model as Allen blossomed then—and fast became a welcome young player on the New York swing jazz scene.They've had occasional chances ...

104
Album Review

Scott Hamilton & Harry Allen: Heavy Juice

Read "Heavy Juice" reviewed by John Kelman


Strangely enough, recordings pairing tenor players are not unusual. Sonny Rollins did it with John Coltrane on Tenor Madness ; more recently Joe Lovano with Joshua Redman on Tenor Legacy ; even Chris Potter did it with Joe Lovano on a few tracks on Vertigo. Why this particular variation of saxophone is more conducive to teaming up is a mystery, but it always seems to work. Now Scott Hamilton has come together with next generationer Harry Allen for Heavy Juice ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Heavy Juice

Concord Music Group
2004

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The Cotton Club...

Verve Music Group
1984

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