Sadly, Lionel Hampton's vital role in the rise of jazz, R&B and rock 'n' roll is all but forgotten. In 1936, Benny Goodman saw Hampton perform on vibes in Los Angeles and hired him for his trio with drummer Gene Krupa and pianist Teddy Wilson. They were the first A-list integrated jazz ensemble.
Here's Hampton in the Benny Goodman Quartet in 1937...
In the 1940s, Hampton led a first-rate band that included future jazz stars such as Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, Dinah Washington, Betty Carter and Milt Buckner. By the mid-1940s, Hampton's orchestra was pioneering jump blues and then rhythm and blues in L.A. Here's the Hampton band in 1949...
As far as spotting talent, Hampton's 1953 band that toured Europe featured Clifford Brown, Gigi Gryce, Quincy Jones, Monk Montgomery, Tony Ortega, George Wallington, Art Farmer and singer Annie Ross. In 1957, he starred in the Alan Freed jukebox film Mr. Rock and Roll. Here's the trailer...
Throughout much of the 1950s, Hampton recorded in small groups before reviving his big band for recordings and touring in the early 1960s. Here's Hampton on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1962...
Today, I offer you a full 57-minute concert by the Lionel Hampton Band at the national La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels, Belgium, in 1958. The band: Lionel Hampton (vib,d,p); Eddie Williams, Art Hoyle, Eddie Mullens and Dave Gonzales (tp); Louis Blackburn, Wade Marcus and Larry Wilson (tb); Leon Zachery and Bobby Plater (as,cl); Andy McGhee (ts); Lonnie Shaw (bs); Oscar Denard (p); Billy Mackel (g,vcl); Julius Browne (b); Wilbert Hogan (d) and Cornelius Pinocchio James (vcl).
The songs: The High and the Mighty, Hamp's Piano Blues, The History of Jazz, Hot Club Blues, I Found a New Baby, The Chase, Brussels Sprouts, Sticks Ahoy and Gladys.
Here's the concert:
Here's Hampton in the Benny Goodman Quartet in 1937...
In the 1940s, Hampton led a first-rate band that included future jazz stars such as Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, Dinah Washington, Betty Carter and Milt Buckner. By the mid-1940s, Hampton's orchestra was pioneering jump blues and then rhythm and blues in L.A. Here's the Hampton band in 1949...
As far as spotting talent, Hampton's 1953 band that toured Europe featured Clifford Brown, Gigi Gryce, Quincy Jones, Monk Montgomery, Tony Ortega, George Wallington, Art Farmer and singer Annie Ross. In 1957, he starred in the Alan Freed jukebox film Mr. Rock and Roll. Here's the trailer...
Throughout much of the 1950s, Hampton recorded in small groups before reviving his big band for recordings and touring in the early 1960s. Here's Hampton on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1962...
Today, I offer you a full 57-minute concert by the Lionel Hampton Band at the national La Monnaie Opera House in Brussels, Belgium, in 1958. The band: Lionel Hampton (vib,d,p); Eddie Williams, Art Hoyle, Eddie Mullens and Dave Gonzales (tp); Louis Blackburn, Wade Marcus and Larry Wilson (tb); Leon Zachery and Bobby Plater (as,cl); Andy McGhee (ts); Lonnie Shaw (bs); Oscar Denard (p); Billy Mackel (g,vcl); Julius Browne (b); Wilbert Hogan (d) and Cornelius Pinocchio James (vcl).
The songs: The High and the Mighty, Hamp's Piano Blues, The History of Jazz, Hot Club Blues, I Found a New Baby, The Chase, Brussels Sprouts, Sticks Ahoy and Gladys.
Here's the concert:
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.
