Lionel Hampton

[Private Vasquez]

Died this morning (saturday, 8-31-02) at the ripe old age of 94.

A jazz legend, he popularized the vibraphone and teamed up with many a jazz great over his long career. He began his career in the 1920's and played with everyone from Benny Goodman to Quincy Jones. He first picked up the vibes at a studio with Louis Armstrong, where he'd previously been a drummer. He was important in helping to bridge the racial gap in jazz music, joining drummer Gene Krupa and pianist Teddy Wilson in the famous multiracial Benny Goodman Quartet. He was also quite the philanthropist.

I saw him play live twice. He was brilliant on the vibes, even in his later years. He made it seem so effortless, and the sounds produces were always top-notch.

May he Rest In Peace.

 

[HeavyStick]

Rest in Peace

 

[lilrosie lips]

Thats sad to hear. I loved his music. Thank you Mr. Hampton for all the good times.

 

[Dillinger]

I'm sorry to hear this. He was definitely one of the greats. I saw him perform about 20 years ago... it was a wonderful concert.

 

[Jessie]

Not fair, dangit...

 

[Marxist]

I loved Lionel, but frankly I thought he was already dead.

 

[peachykeen]

RIP Lionel, thanks for all the good vibes

 

[La Principessa]

Lionel's "flying home"

truly an inspired player and a leader in Jazz community.

Thanks to this great man playing with Benny Goodman in a Manhattan ballroom, the barrier between balck and white musicians playing together in public. Again he set a precident when playing at the white house during President Truman's administration, his was the first black band to play at the White House.

In 1997 Hampton received the Presidential Medal of Honor while wearing borrowed suit, socks and shoes. All his belongings and memorabilia were destroyed in a fire two days earlier.

It was Hampton along with Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa that formed the Benny Goodman Quartet that broke racial barriers that kept black musicians from performing with whites in public. Wilson and Hampton had recorded with Goodman and Krupa previously and white soloists "jammed" informally with black groups, but the color line was drawn whenever a white band was on stage.

above gleaned from USA Today

Lionel Hampton "Hamp" was an amazing musician and overall good person. May he rest well and and enjoy "flying home".

God's speed "Hamp".