Lionel Hampton began his phenomonal musical career as a drummer and he so impressed the great Louis Armstrong that he invited the young drummer to join his Big Band rhythm section for a recording session. During that session, Armstrong also invited Lionel to play the vibes.
In 1936 Benny Goodman, upon hearing Lionel perform at the "Paradise Club" in Los Angeles, signed Lionel on the spot to join his trio, which quickly became the Benny Goodman quartet. featuring Benny, Teddy Wilson on piano, Gene Krupa on drums and Lionel on the vibraphone. The Benny Goodman quartet made immediate musical history...it was the beginning of the Swing era.
In the 40's Hampton formed his own big band. Their recordings, "Sunny Side of the Street", "Central Avenue Breakdown", his signature tune, "Flying Home" and "Hamp's Boogie Woogie" all became top of the chart best sellers.
The Lionel Hampton Orchestra had a phenomenal array of sidemen. Among those who got their start with Hamp were...Quincy Jones, Wes Montgomery, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson and Fats Navaro...and of course Jerry! |
