Biography
Lionel Hampton was born on April 20, 1908, in Louisville, Kentucky, and became one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.[1] He began his musical career as a drummer in the Chicago Defender Newsboys' Band before moving to California in the late 1920s, where he played with various ensembles including Paul Howard's Quality Serenaders, with whom he made his recording debut in 1929.[1] The pivotal moment in Hampton's career came in 1930 when Louis Armstrong invited him to play vibraphone during a recording session, resulting in the first jazz recordings to feature improvised vibraphone solos on "Memories of You" and "Shine."[1] This chance encounter transformed Hampton into the "King of the Vibes," establishing the vibraphone as a legitimate jazz instrument and becoming his primary instrument for the rest of his career.
Hampton's rise to prominence accelerated when Benny Goodman recruited him in 1936 to augment his trio with Teddy Wilson and Gene Krupa.[3] During his four years with the Goodman organization, Hampton recorded some of his most celebrated work, taking memorable solos on tracks like "Dizzy Spells," "Avalon," and "Moonglow," while occasionally replacing Gene Krupa on drums.[1][3] In 1940, Hampton left Goodman on amicable terms to form his own big band, which became one of the most popular and exciting ensembles in jazz history.[3] His 1942 composition "Flying Home," driven by Illinois Jacquet's unforgettable tenor saxophone solo, became his signature hit and perennial theme song.[3] Hampton's orchestra was renowned for its tremendous energy, dazzling showmanship, and ability to attract world-class musicians, establishing itself as a breeding ground for jazz talent.
Throughout his career, Hampton composed over 200 musical works, including jazz standards such as "Evil Gal Blues" and "Midnight Sun," as well as the symphonic work "King David Suite."[4] Beyond his musical achievements, Hampton served as a goodwill ambassador for the United States under President Eisenhower, leading his band on extensive international tours to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East.[4] He was also credited as the first big band leader to incorporate organ and electric bass into his ensemble.[5] Despite health challenges, Hampton continued performing into his 90s, maintaining sellout crowds worldwide throughout the 1980s and 1990s.[1] He passed away on August 31, 2002, in New York, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that fundamentally shaped the development of jazz music and influenced generations of musicians.[1]
Fun Facts
- Hampton's introduction to the vibraphone was entirely serendipitous—during a 1930 recording session with Louis Armstrong, a vibraphone had been fortuitously left in the studio, and when Armstrong asked Hampton to play it, he created the first-ever jazz recordings to feature improvised vibraphone solos, fundamentally establishing the instrument in jazz.[1]
- Hampton was credited as the first big band leader to incorporate organ and electric bass into his ensemble, demonstrating his innovative approach to orchestration and willingness to experiment with new instrumental combinations.[5]
- Despite his legendary status in jazz, Hampton's riff-based music achieved crossover success on rock radio stations in the early 1950s, and he even appeared in a movie with rock 'n' roll disc jockey Alan Freed, bridging the gap between jazz and emerging rock and roll genres.[5]
- Hampton served as a goodwill ambassador for the United States under President Eisenhower and later received the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton, demonstrating his significance beyond music as a cultural ambassador.[4]
Associated Acts
- The Benny Goodman Sextet - vibraphone (1936–present)
- The Benny Goodman Quartet - original, vibraphone
- Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra - eponymous, original
- The Lionel Hampton Quintet - eponymous, original
- Lionel Hampton Big Band - eponymous, original
- Lionel Hampton Quartet - eponymous, original
- Lionel Hampton Sextet - eponymous, original
- Lionel Hampton Orchestra - eponymous, original
- Louis Armstrong & His Sebastian New Cotton Club Orchestra
- Lionel Hampton and His All-Stars - eponymous, original
- The Hampton Rhythm Boys - vibraphone
- Lionel Hampton & His Jazz Inner Circle - eponymous, original
- Lionel Hampton & His Septet - eponymous, original
- Lionel Hampton with Reeds & Rhythm - eponymous, original
- Lionel Hampton & His Septet
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jimmy Bertrand - Percussionist who provided Hampton's early xylophone lessons in Chicago (Foundational percussion training) [Early 1920s]
- Louis Armstrong - Invited Hampton to play vibraphone during a recording session, fundamentally changing his career trajectory and establishing him as a vibraphonist ("Memories of You" and "Shine" (1930)) [1930]
Key Collaborators
- Benny Goodman - Recruited Hampton to augment his trio; Hampton became a key member of the Goodman quartet and orchestra ("Dizzy Spells," "Avalon," "Moonglow") [1936-1940]
- Teddy Wilson - Pianist in the Benny Goodman Quartet alongside Hampton (Goodman quartet recordings) [1936-1940]
- Gene Krupa - Drummer in the Benny Goodman Quartet; Hampton occasionally replaced him on drums (Goodman quartet and orchestra recordings) [1936-1940]
- Illinois Jacquet - Tenor saxophonist whose unforgettable solo drove Hampton's signature composition ("Flying Home" (1942)) [1942]
- Wes Montgomery - Guitarist who performed as a sideman in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1940s-1950s]
- Clifford Brown - Trumpeter who performed in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1950s]
- Dexter Gordon - Saxophonist who performed in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1940s-1950s]
- Quincy Jones - Musician and producer who performed in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1940s-1950s]
- Dinah Washington - Vocalist in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1940s-1950s]
- Aretha Franklin - Vocalist in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1950s]
- Charlie Parker - Collaborated with Hampton during his career (Various jazz recordings) [1940s-1950s]
- Charles Mingus - Bassist who performed in Hampton's orchestra during the mid-1940s to early 1950s (Decca Records recordings) [Mid-1940s to early 1950s]
- Johnny Griffin - Saxophonist who performed in Hampton's orchestra during the mid-1940s to early 1950s (Decca Records recordings) [Mid-1940s to early 1950s]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Trumpeter who performed in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1940s-1950s]
- Cat Anderson - Trumpeter who performed in Hampton's orchestra (Lionel Hampton Orchestra recordings) [1940s-1950s]
Artists Influenced
- Red Norvo - Like Hampton, one of the first jazz vibraphone players; both pioneered the instrument's use in jazz (Jazz vibraphone repertoire) [1930s onward]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| You Better Know It!!! | 1964-01-01 | Album |
| Hamp & Getz | 1955-01-01 | Album |
| The Fabulous Benny Goodman | 1999-10-08 | Album |
| Hamp The Legendary Decca Recordings Of Lionel Hampton | 1996-03-12 | Album |
| Ultimate Big Band Collection: Benny Goodman | 1935 | Album |
| The Essential Lionel Hampton | 2014-03-07 | Album |
| Brassens Et Le Jazz | 2011-01-01 | Album |
| The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1 | 2007-04-07 | Album |
| The Complete Lionel Hampton Quartets And Quintets With Oscar Peterson | 1999-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- A Taste Of Honey (You Better Know It!!!)
- Louise (Hamp & Getz)
- Moonglow (Essential Classics, Vol. 24: Teddy Wilson)
- Moonglow - Take 1 (The Fabulous Benny Goodman)
- Hot Mallets
- Love For Sale
- Lavender Coffin
- Exactly Like You (After You've Gone:The Original Benny Goodman Trio And Quartet)
- Rag Mop (Hamp The Legendary Decca Recordings Of Lionel Hampton)
- Ballad Medley (Hamp & Getz)
External Links
Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #american, #big-band
References
Heard on WWOZ
Lionel Hampton has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | 16:32 | midnight sunfrom black legends of jazz | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 07:24 | China Stompfrom Ring Dem Bells | The Morning Setw/ Fox Duhon or Mark LaMaire | |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 07:17 | China Stompfrom Ring Dem Bells | The Morning Setw/ Fox Duhon or Mark LaMaire |