The Lionel Hampton Story 1908-2002
1991-1998

Last update. 2007, November 19.
The Lionel Hampton Story 1908-2002 and IN MEMORIAM
The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival 2002/2006
 www.lionelhampton.nl-

Age 85 Years.
 

1991

Riddargatan 14, S-114 35 Stockholm, Sweden
The Castle Hotel Picture Gallery
In this gallery you will find pictures of Castle Hotel, jazz-celebrities, articles and a lot more.

Hampton greeting the Ambasador of USA.
 

Lionel Hampton in concert.
 

1991
Juny-11/13  Live at the Blue Note
-----
 Lionel Hampton (vibraphone); James Moody (vocals, tenor saxophone); Buddy Tate (tenor
saxophone); Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet);
Al Grey (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Milt Hinton (bass); Grady Tate (drums).
Recorded live at the Blue Note, New York,  from June 11-13, 1991.

1992-?-?
Jazz Festival Luik, Belgium
Lionel Hampton Orchestra
 

1992

This photo was taken during the recording of Lou's album, Portait of the
Blues, in 1992. He is pictured here with jazz legend Lionel Hampton, who
performed on the record, and Billy Vera, who produced the album.

1992

Lembit Saarsalu, Estonian saxplayer and Lionel Hampton ( Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Moscow Idaho).
 

1992


1992 The Kennedy Center Honorees

Seated Left to Right: Mstislav Rostropovich, Ginger Rogers and Lionel
Hampton; Standing Left to Right: Paul Taylor, Joanne Woodward and
Paul Newman.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today revealed the recipients of
the 15th annual Kennedy Center Honors for career achievement in the performing arts.
The honored artists elected by the Center's Board of Trustees are musician Mstislav
Rostropovich, dancer Ginger Rogers, musician Lionel Hampton, choreographer Paul
Taylor, actor Paul Newman and actress Joanne Woodward.
The Kennedy Center Honors program was instituted by the Kennedy Center Board of
Trustees "to provide deserved recognition to individuals who throughout their lifetime
have made significant contributions to American culture through the performing arts."
 
 

1993--------------__________          ----------------- 1994
--------------------
Lionel Hampton signing the Castle Hotel drums.---------------------------- Hampton and Doc Cheatham.------
 

1993

Kurhaus, Wiesbaden, Germany
Marshall McDonald, altosax and Lionel Hampton
 

1993
Jazz Festival Nice, France
--------
1993 Jazz Festival Nice France----------Lionel Hampton-Chaka Chan-George Benson
 

1994
July-10
North Sea Jazz Festival
The last concert in The Netherlands

Lionel Hampton and the Golden Man of Jazz:
Harry "Sweets" Edison & Clark Terry, trumpet. Al Grey, Trombone. Junior Mance, Piano
Benny Golson, Tenorsax. Jimmy Woode, Bass. Grady Tate, drums.
Lionel Hampton, Vibes, piano, drums and vocals.
 

1994

Lionel Hampton and Wynton Marsalis

1995-
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Moscow-Idaho-USA
February
--
Mr.Hitoshi &  Mr.Lionel Hampton
Lou Rawls, right, sings for Lionel Hampton at the 1995 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho..
Rawls won't appear in Moscow this year.

---
Hamp and Dee Daniëls.
 Hamp and Student Mc.Coy -0.31min. Realpl. Video.
 

1995

Lionel Hampton with Wynton Marsalis

What is Swing?    Lionel Hampton
Photo's © 1995, NPR

"If you have to ask," said Fats Waller, "you haven't got it." Swing has always been
among the most elusive ofmusical terms. Wynton Marsalis defines it -- not only
by doing it, but also by demonstrating its strongrelationship to the American spirit.
He does it with thehelp of such hard-swinging musicians as Ray Brown,
Lionel Hampton, and Horace Silver, in conversation
and performance.

Wynton's comments on this episode.
 

1995
------
Cover "Jazziz" 1995 Oktober  and "Down Beat Magazine" 1995 November.

1996
April-28
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Lionel Hampton and his Big band

1996

 

1996
July-09

North Sea Jazz Festival
Changes  July-9

PWA-zaal,   19:45 LIONEL HAMPTON BIG BAND
replaced by SERGIO MENDES

1996
July-10

------
A Carnegie Hall   Tribute
 "Carnegie Hall Celebrates the Music of "Ella Fitzgerald"

Wednesday, July 10, 1996 -- Body and Soul" will feature
Ernestine Anderson,  Harry "Sweets" Edison, Herb Ellis, Tommy Flanagan,
Lionel Hampton,
Shirley Horn, Mandy Patinkin, John Pizzarelli, Diane Schuur, Bobby Short,
Carol Sloane, Paul  Smith, Weslia Whitfield, and Margaret Whiting.

1996

September-02
Great Vibes: A Salute of Lionel Hampton at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington
presents the Lionel Hampton Orchestra,
Dr. Billy Taylor and dozens of his musical friends in tribute to the master
of the vibraphone and great veteran of bandleading.

1996
National Medal of Arts.
Lionel Hampton: Good Vibes
by Karen Nelson, National Endowment for the Arts.

1997, January 7

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A halogen lamp fell on a bed inside the high-rise
apartment of jazz legend Lionel Hampton, starting a five-alarm fire that
 injured 19 people Tuesday, authorities said.

(  Newsradio 88  )
Lionel Hampton Files Suit Against Lamp Importer
By Newsradio 88 Staff

Jazz great Lionel Hampton filed a thirty million dollar lawsuit today against the importer of the
halogen lampthat allegedly causedthe blaze that destroyed his apartment, reports Newsradio 88.
Hampton said in court papers that on January 7th, 19-97, a halogen floor lamp tipped over igniting
his sheetsand blankets.The blaze then allegedly injured twenty-seven people and destroyed
musical instruments,a lifetime's collection of irreplaceable sheet music and photographs, awards,
and other memorabilia.
Hampton's lawsuit, filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, names himself and his
Louisiana company,Hamp's Entertainment.
The lead defendant in the suit is the Hunter Fan Company of Memphis, which imports the lamp
from Taiwan.The other firms -- Fortunoff of Westbury, Long Island and Capital Lighting of Paramus
are retailers whohave a right to rely on Hunter for the lamp's quality.
 

1997, January 9.
Clothes Call Will Let Lionel Go In Style To White House
Jazz legend Lionel Hampton goes to Washington today -- outfitted from head to toe in spiffy new
threads to replace those he lost in the blaze that gutted his high-rise apartment.
"The show must go on!" he announced yesterday in a hotel across the street from his
burned-out apartment in the Lincoln Center area.
Equipped with a new tuxedo, fedora, shoes and wheelchair, Hampton heads to Washington to receive
a National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton and dine with the president at the White House.
After Hampton lost everything in the fire Tueday, Rep. Charles Rangel made sure the jazzman would
visit the President in style -- with a little help from clothier Syms.
Tailors arrived at Hampton's hotel with six suits, two tuxedos, cuff links, silk pajamas, silk robes,
shoes and a Pierre Cardin cashmere overcoat.
"Mr. Hampton will make the selections to see what suits him best," said Taylor Michaelson,
who carted in the six shopping bags of fine haberdashery.

1997, January 9

January-09 The White House
Lionel Hampton was awarded the National Medal of Arts on January 9th, but he deserved
another medal for perseverance and bravery for having arrived to accept it at all. Barely two days
before the ceremony, a raging five-alarm fire swept through his apartment in a 43-story
highrise near Lincoln Center in New York, destroying all of his possessions. Apparently, the
fire started when a halogen lamp tipped over in  Hampton's apartment and ignited a bed.

Bill Clinton and Lionel Hampton a the White House. 1997.
Photo exhibit at Dallas City Hall focuses on White House photographer Sharon Farmer.   Story-

The 88-year-old Hampton was left shaken, but
sound. Gone, however, were the mementos of his seven-decade career which
included signed photographs by a number of Presidents, sheet music, recordings,
instruments, and even the tuxedo he had been planning to wear. When President
Clinton said during the Medals ceremony, "We are glad to see Lionel Hampton here
safe and sound," the more than 500 guests broke into applause.

Even as the fire began to devour his apartment, Hampton, who suffered a stroke in
1993, did not want to leave. He was brought out in a wheel chair with a robe over
his pajamas and tucked in a blanket. According to a New York Times article, he
asked Reuben Cox, an aide, about a piece of music, "Where is my 'King David's
Suite?"

Cox replied, "Mr. Hampton, everything is in your apartment." Another aide, Caprice
Titone, said, "There is nothing left, Lionel."

For the Medal of Arts ceremony, Representative Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)
borrowed a dark gray suite, white shirt and scarlet tie for him. Even the wheelchair
was donated. As Hampton commented to the Washington Post, "Everything was
burnt up. Now it's nailed up." Following the ceremony and presiding over a circle of
press, Hampton appeared pleased, somewhat tired, but overall unfazed by the
trauma of the fire and the excitement of the awards.

With the presentation of the Medal of Arts and the photos of himself with the
President and First Lady, Lionel Hampton can begin his collection anew. He can also
add the President's words of praise from that day. Clinton said, "A legendary
bandleader, singer, and the first musician to make the vibraphone sing and swing, he
has been delighting jazz audiences for over half a century. Anyone who has ever
heard his music knows that he is much more than a performer, he is a pioneer."

1997
February-19/22     Moscow-Idaho-USA  Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

It is a great pleasure for Dr. Lionel Hampton and Dr. Lynn J. Skinner to welcome you on
the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

Artists below appeared at 1997 Festival.          Wednesday, February 19th 7:00 pm
Lionel Hampton, vibes; Elvin Jones, drums; Hank Jones, piano; Herb Ellis, guitar; Brian Bromberg,
bass;Claudio Roditi, trumpet (Brazil); Helio Alves, piano (Brazil); Duduka da Fonseca, drums (Brazil);
Andy LaVerne, piano; Jimmy Green, tenor saxophone; Lembit Saarsalu, tenor saxophone ( Estonia);
Leonid Vintskevich, piano (Russia); KittyMargolis, vocals; John Stowell, guitar; Christian Bausch,
 bass (Gernamy); Andrei Kitaev, piano (Russia); Sasha Daltonn, vocals; Travelin' Light,
featuring: Sam Pilafian, tuba. and Frank Vignola, banjo; vocalist -TBA
-
Hank Jones and Dee Daniels. Diana Krall and Dee Daniels

Northwest Airlines Special Guest Concert.     Thursday, February 20th 7:00 pm
Lionel Hampton, vibes; Elvin Jones, drums; Hank Jones, piano; Benny Golson, tenor saxophone;
Herb Ellis, guitar; Cedar Walton Trio, featuring: Cedar Walton, piano; David Williams, bass;
Kenny Washington, drums; Joe Lovano, tenorsaxophone; Pete Candoli, trumpet;
Conte Candoli, trumpet; Brian Bromberg, bass; Al Grey, trombone; Bill Watrous,
trombone; Carl Fontana, trombone; Diana Krall, vocals & piano; Dee Daniels, vocals & piano;
Jane Jarvis, piano;
Student Winners from the College Vocal and Instrumental Solo Divisions

Vocal Winners Concert:      Friday, February 21st 4:45 pm
The Lionel Hampton School of Music's Jazz Choirs followed by winning student groups from
the day's competition.

Alll Star Concert:       Friday, February 21st
Lionel Hampton, vibes; Lou Rawls, vocals; Elvin Jones, drums; Hank Jones, piano; Herb Ellis, guitar;
Randy Brecker,  trumpet; Joshua Redman, tenor saxophone; Monty Alexander Trio,
featuring: Monty Alexander, piano; Jeff Hamilton,drums; John Clayton, bass; Wallace Roney, trumpet;
Geri Allen, piano; Brian Bromberg, bass; Gail Wynters, vocals; Jim Martinez, piano;
Student Winners from the Vocal Solo Division

Washington Water Power Instrumental Winners Concert:
Saturday, February 22nd 4:45 pm
The Lionel Hampton School of Music's Jazz Band 1 followed by winning student groups
from the day's competition.

GTE Giants of Jazz Concerts: Saturday, February 22nd 8:00pm
Lionel Hampton and his New York Big Band; Dianne Reeves, vocals; Elvin Jones, drums;
Hank Jones, piano; Herb Ellis, guitar; Brian Bromberg Bass;
Student Winners from the Instrumental Solo Division

1997
June-7
1997 Jazz Series at the Tarrytown, N.Y. Music Hall
A post-89th birthday celebration by Lionel Hampton & His 17 piece Orchestra.
All concerts take place on Saturdays at 8 p.m. and feature two sets and an intermission.

1997

Photo: Phil Leshin, Hamp's peronal mamager.

1997
August-5/7
Jazz Festival Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Nice France
Mardi 5 et jeudi 7 août 1997
The Lionel Hampton Orchestra
Wesley WATSON, batterie-Darrel HALL, basse-Kunihiko MAKAMI, piano
Charles STEPHENS,  James GRIFFITH, Kiane ZAWAD, trombone
Ray FRANKS, Lance BRYAN, Cleve GUYTON, Marshall MCDONALD, Eric MATTHEWS, sax
James ROTONDI, Claudio BARRERO, Patrick RICKMAN, JonMarkMCGOWEN,trompette.
Lionel Hampton, Vibes, drums, piano, vocals.

Hampton: Magique

Unique. Magique. Lionel Hampton, clèbrissime vibraphoniste américain, une
des dernières légendes vivantes du jazz, a fait chavirer, à Beaulieu-sur-Mer, le coeur
des six cents mélomanes venus comme à un pèlerinage à la rencontre de ce géant

---
 

--
 
 

Lionel Hampton and Jean-Louis Bonpoint
__________
 

Speaking Notes for Bestowal of the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art First Class upon
Mr. Lionel Hampton on Monday, January 12, 1998

 Dear Lionel Hampton,
(Mr. Minister, Ambassador Hall,)
Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the history of the bestowal of awards here at the the century-old Vienna Hofburg this ceremony is, for sure, extraordinary.
Extraordinary is also the artist whom we wish to honor today. And I gladly admit that my decision to bestow this award
personally was guided by totally different motives: artistic, Austrian and personal.
I begin with the artistic - and in this circle of special experts and friends of Jazz I can limit myself to a few sentences - it would
be almost insulting to Lionel Hampton and to all of you, wanting to tell you about the personality and the work of the laureate.
Lionel Hampton is not only known all over the world as band leader, vibraphonist, drummer, singer and entertainer, as
composer and university teacher - he is today the last living giant legend of swing.
Others like Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Harry James and Woody Herman are no longer among us -
Lionel Hampton is still swinging.
And he celebrates in these months three almost unbelievable jubilees:
- the 60th birthday of the famous Carnegie Hall concert of 16th January 1938 with which Jazz claimed and
confirmed for thefirst time its recognition as established concert music,
- the 70th stage jubilee of Lionel Hampton who has since 1927 conquered the concert halls of the world
- and his 90th birthday in April of this year.
His place in more than one chapter of music history - and in the history of Jazz - is undisputed worldwide:
- as celebrated soloist who besides his virtuosity at the drums and the piano was the first to introduce
the vibraphone to the world of Jazz,
- as a congenial partner of Louis Armstrong and many many others, and above all as a member of the legendary
BennyGoodman Quartet which at the time was the first racially integrated group of musicians,
- as band leader who has discovered and taught generations of great musicians - and who introduced totally new sounds and
new instruments like the organ to his music and as widely respected creator of symphonic music which today is performed by
the leading orchestras of the world.
Let me now mention some of the aspects related to Austria.
Since November 1954 - over a period of more than 40 years - Lionel Hampton paid repeated visits to Austria to perform in
this country. And his first concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus was already such a triumphal success that five weeks later he had
to return to Austria again.
I mention this because today only the elder generation can appreciate what these first encounters with Jazz, with swing, meant
to us - after the horrors of the world war, the racism and the prohibition of the so-called "degenerated music".
And this is exactly the personal motive for my todays happiness and gratefulness:
You, Mr. Hampton and your colleagues have been and still are like musical ambassadors of freedom - with their sounds and
rhythms they told us of a world that had overcome many barriers between people.

So let me conclude: Today the Republic of Austria will join with joy those numerous countries and institutions which - because
of your phenomenal musical career - have bestowed countless prestigious awards upon Lionel Hampton.
We do so as a token of our appreciation and admiration for your musical genius, as a gesture of gratitude for your manifold
humanitarian activities and as a small "Thank You" for the many hours of happiness and enthusiasm which so many of my fellow
Austrians owe to you - and which you will certainly give us also tonight.
Heartfelt congratulations to you! I hope that you will keep swinging for many more years - on the sunny side of the street.

1998
February-7
Champagne et Jazz:
un cocktail pétillant:

A l'occasion de l'anniversaire des 90 ans du jazzman, les Champagnes
Paul Goerg (une première dans l'histoire) viennent de lancer une

Nouvelle bouteille : la cuvée"Lionel Hampton".
Déjà en vente dans les plus prestigieux clubs de jazz de France et d'
Europe, elle le sera à partir du 20 Avril 1998 aux Etats-Unis.

La cuvée Lionel Hampton

 The Lionel Hampton Champagne
Guests enjoying our Lionel Hampton champagne at the
Black Culinarian Alliance dinner 2001 at Tavern On The Green, New York City.  Click
And click on Lionel Hampton Champagne.
__________
 

1998-
February-25/28
/

Lionel Hampton Jazz festival 1998    Moscow-Idaho-USA
Id invited the festival  soloist winners on stage Lionel Hampton and the 1999 University of Idaho
Jazz Festival to perform a rousing jams At the recent 1998 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow,
Idaho, over 160 jazz bands from the United States and Canada, with more than 14,000 student
participants, took part in one of the largest jazz festivals in North America. Roosevelt Jazz Band was
first runner up at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in the jazz ensemble category.
This year's festival was particularly special as the participants celebrated the 90th birthday of
Lionel Hampton.  He delighted the audience as he performed anession with his band.
Line up.
Wednesday, February 25, 1998 3:30 p.m  Jr. High Winners Concert
Winning student groups from the day's competition
This concert takes place at the Student Union Building Ballroom.
All other concerts take place at the Kibbie Dome.

Wednesday, February 25, 1998 7:00 p.m. Pepsi / Gibson International Jazz Concert
Lionel Hampton, vibes; Kenny Barron Trio, featuring: Kenny Barron, piano; Ben Riley, drums;
Ray Drummond, bass; Paquito D'Rivera, saxophone  & clarinet (Cuba); Claudio Roditi, trumpet (Brazil);
Slide Hampton, trombone; Alex Acuna, drums (Peru); Edward Simon, piano; Brian Bromberg,  bass;
Dee Daniels, vocals and piano (Canada); Jane Jarvis, piano; Kuni Mikami, piano (Japan); Sergio
Tchernyshov, vibes (Russia); Greg Abate,  saxophone; Wally "Gator" Watson, drums; Lance
Bryant, saxophone; John Stowell, guitar; Christian Bausch, bass (Germany); Lionele Hamanaka,
vocals (Japan); Kao Temma, dancer (Japan); Tomoaki Sakura, clarinet (Japan), and introducing
12 year-old jazz violinist, Billy Contreras, Nashville,  Tennessee

Thursday, February 26, 1998 7:00 p.m. Northwest Airlines Special Guest Concert
Lionel Hampton, vibes; Abbey Lincoln, vocals, with Marc Cary, piano; Super Bass, featuring:
Ray Brown, bass; John Clayton, bass; Christian McBride, bass; Marian McPartland, piano; Terence
Blanchard, trumpet; Kenny Barron Trio featuring: Kenny Barron, piano; Ben Riley, drums; Ray
Drummond, bass; Billy Marcus Tribute to Hamp, featuring: Billy Marcus, piano; Brenda Alford vocals;
John Allred, trombone; Pete Minger, trumpet; Billy Ross, tenor saxophone & alto flute;Eric Allison,
flute, clarinet, saxophone; John Michalak, tenor saxophone; Turk Mauro, baritone  saxophone;
Don Coffman, bass; Gary Duchaine, drums; Andy LaVerne, piano; Evelyn White,vocals and piano
Student Winners from the College Vocal and Instrumental Soloist Divisions.

 Friday, February 27, 1998
Ray Brown Trio, featuring Ray Brown,bass; Greg Hutchinson,drums; Jeff Keizer,drums; Herb
Ellis,guitar; Freddy Cole,vocals; Kenny Barron Trio, featuring: Kenny Barron,piano;Ben
Reilly,drums; Ray Drummond,bass; Ethel Ennis,vocals; Jon Faddis,trumpet; Frank Foster,tenor;
Frank Wess,tenor; Al Grey, trombone; Bill Watrous,trombone;
and my friends Ron Aprea,alto; Angela DeNiro,vocals.

Angela DeNiro and Al Grey
Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest. '98

Saturday. February 28, 1998
Lionel Hampton and his New York Big Band featuring Angela DeNiro, vocals;
Diana Krall, vocals and piano with Russell Malone, guitar; Kenny Barron Trio (same persoanl as
Fri.) Pete Condoli, trumpet; Conti Condoli,trumpet.

Lionel Hampton and Angela DeNiro chatting backstage

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival 1998: Ron Aprea, Doc Skinner, John Faddis,
Lionel Hampton and Angela DeNiro.
 

The Lionel Hampton school of music. Moscow-Idaho
 
 

1998
March-6

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley
Posted at 03:40 a.m. PST; Friday, March 6, 1998

Hampton swings with help of band  by Paul de Barros  Special to The Seattle Times
Concert review: Lionel Hampton, continuing Lthrough Sunday at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley,
2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle;
Aging with grace is a difficult business for performers, particularly ones as enamored of the
spotlight as Lionel Hampton. Just a few years ago, Hamp had to be dragged off the stage
at Summer Night at the Pier after playing for two hours.
But then he was only 85. This week at Jazz Alley, it's a different  story. Hampton will be 90 next
month. Though the great vibraphonist is traveling with one of his swingin'-est bands in years,
the man up front is - well, just a front man now. Sitting before his big, silvery instrument,
studying it as if it were something he had just learned to play, Hampton could pick out only
a few feeble notes on Tuesday.
Does that sound depressing? Oddly, it wasn't, partly because the band was so hot, but also
because a warm and reverent audience lifted the occasion from mere performance to warm homage.
They weren't just being sentimental. Jim Rotondi's blistering trumpet solo on the uptempo opener,
"Hallelujah!," and the searing high-note work of trumpeter Tony Barrero set the mood - hard-hitting,
bluesy, back-beat swing, with the great bassist Jimmy Woode (formerly with Duke Ellington)
anchoring the proceedings.
A swaggering arrangement of "Moanin' " was followed by a sweet "Soul Serenade," both by
saxophonist Lance Bryant. Hamp and drummer Wally  "Gator" Watson played a soft duet on
"Serenade," as Watson added rhythmic "mouth music," blowing into cupped hands.
Tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon tore through "Brand New Baby"  like an R&B tornado,
and Cleve Gayton contributed a dazzling solo -  on piccolo! "Over the Rainbow" featured
Hampton's warm and glowing vibes, and the band closed with a rousing "Hey ! Ba Be Re-Bop "
the sax section standing up, swaying their horns on the riff.
Most of the crowd stood up, cheering, then sang "Happy Birthday."
The great show-business icon pushed himself to his feet one more time, then, having barely
spoken all night, turned into his old sassy self.
"We're just warmin' up, now," he said. "When we get through playing tonight, they got to call the
fire department!" We should hope to age with as much good humor.
*********
I saw Lionel Hampton and his orchestra at Jazz Alley in Seattle last night. The man is celebrating his
90th birthday, but he can still swing! He can't move very fast, and seems to have arthritis, but he has
music in his soul. It took him a Posted at 03:40 a.m. PST; Friday, March 6, 1998
he still has fun on stage. He had the audience clapping and singing along. He talks with the band,
and makes jokes. Wow. 90 years old, and still playing 2 2-hour sets a night. Plus he had his festival
at U of Idaho last weekend. Long live the king of the vibraphone.
 

1998
April-20
Lionel Hampton's 90th Birthday Celebration with his Big Band
The Blue Note Jazz Club   New York
---------
The Blue Note Jazz Club, Ron Aprea, Hamp and Angela DeNiro

Lionel Hampton swings on 90th birthday vibes.
1998-April-21, The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) -- Best wishes, songs and friends -- the usual for a birthday
party. And when the birthday boy is jazz great Lionel Hampton, count on good vibes.
Betty Carter and Tito Puente were among those on hand Sunday to sing
"Happy Birthday" to Hampton, who smiled, turned 90 --  and kept on playing.
"I feel like I'm 25. I feel like I want to play until.  I'm 125," said Hampton, one of last surviving
jazz greats of the swing era, a drummer who made his first album in 1927,  vibes, an instrument
resembling a xylophone, since Louis Armstrong asked him in 1930 if he knew how to play.
Bill Cosby, who emceed the star-studded soiree, said "Lionel has the distinction of never having left
a stage without having to be taken off." Hampton showed no signs Sunday of falling short of that
reputation. Asked by Cosby if he'd rather be healthy than happy, Hampton didn't miss a beat.
"I'd rather be happy," he said.
Hampton's humor gave no hint of the troubles he's had. He has had several strokes,
and his New York City apartment caught fire in January 1997.
The fire destroyed everything -- a half-century of music arrangements and all his
clothes. He was forced to borrow clothing to receive the Presidential Medal of
Arts two days later at the White House.

Lionel Hampton and Bill Cosby at The Blue Note

1998-April-22
Dear Hans Bebop,
I am Lionel Hampton's manager.  The Blue Note turned your letter over to me.
Thank you for your kind words re Mr. Hampton.
He asked me to convey hisbest wishes and thanks to you.
We have no plans to come to Holland in the near future, but we will be in Nice, France, July 19.
His 90th birthday celebration at the Blue Note was a huge success.
Regards,
Phil Leshin
 

1998
July-19

 
 

Lionel Hampton                     Dizzy Gillespie ALLEE                  Miles Davis ALLEE

--

--
Jazz Festival Nice France.
 

1998
July-23
CLINTON, JAZZ LEGEND LIONEL HAMPTON LIGHT UP WHITE HOUSE
--
 

My Funny Valentine at the White House
Bill Clinton, Wally "Gator" Watson and Lionel Hampton

(Celebration honors Hampton's 90th birthday)
By Wendy S. Ross
USIA White House Correspondent

Washington -- At the urging of internationally renowned jazz star Lionel Hampton, President Clinton
picked up his saxophone the evening of July 23 and joined Hampton and his 10-piece band in some
music making. Together they played the Rogers and Hart tune, "My Funny Valentine" tothe cheers
of the 250 guests invited to the White House celebration to honor the 90th birthday of the jazz legend.
"I found me a saxophone player," Hampton told the crowd.

1998
Augustus-1

1998 SUMMER JAZZ FESTIVALS IN UTAH
Plan now to attend two special Jazz Festivals in Utah this summer.
The Utah Jazz & Blues Festival at Snowbird, July 31 and August 1 (contact
Snowbird Ski Resort for further information) The Festival will feature Blues Night
(July 31) Joe Louis Walker, John Hammond and Lady Bianca and Jazz Night (Aug. 1) The
Lionel Hampton New York Big Band and the Freddie Cole Quartet with Huston Person
(great Saxophonist) and The Jimmy & Jeannie Cheatham Kansas City Band
 

1998
August-6
Emeryville Kimball's East Jazzclub
Lionel Hampton and his Big Band
 
 

1998 CD
----
 

Angela DeNiro...SWINGIN' WITH LEGENDS with the Ron Aprea Orchestra
Lionel Hampton, Frank Foster, Lew Tabakin and a
CONVERSATION WITH LIONEL HAMPTON
Lionel Hampton talking with Angela DeNiro following recording session
Angela DeNiro's Homepage      <<<<<

8 GRAMMY NOMINATION ENTRIES FOR 1998

Ron's arrangement of Hamp's Midnight Sun with kinds words and signature by Hampton

"I'm so glad that I heard you (Angela DeNiro)
sing it, 'cause you sing it (Midnight Sun)
better than anybody I ever heard sing it."
Lionel Hampton
 

1998
September-5
Friends of the Arts Long Island Summer Festival
Lionel Hampton, The Swinging Legend Band with Angela DeNiro and Ron Aprea.

Hi,Hans Bebop
In answer to your questions, Ron played with Lionel Hampton in the 70's,
when it was just a small band (2 saxes, 1 trumpet, and rhythm), then
later with Hamp's Big Band. He says he preferred the small band...more
solos!  About the "Friends of the Arts Festival"...yes, Ron and I were
there with Hamp's big band last September.  It was great fun!
Angela DeNiro

1998
October- 8
LIONEL HAMPTON  TRIBUTE
LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
AVERY FISHER HALL    OCT. 8,1998 Brodway, New York

The Legendary " KING " of the VIBES and, last of the great living
big band leaders will receive the 1998  LEGACY Life-Time Achievement Award.
1998 Legacy Awards will also be presented to over
15 other leaders in different categories for outstanding achievements. .

1998 -October-10     The Paramount Center in Peekshill USA.
Lionel Hampton and his Big Band.

Jazz Legend lionel Hampton Kicks Off Jazz Forum Arts' New Series at Paramount Center for
the Arts Oct. 10Lionel Hampton, the legendary jazz start and international icon, who has been
touring the world with his 16 piece New LegendBig Band, will launch Jazz Forum Arts' new concert
series at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, NY on October 10th at 8 P.M.
Hampton, who was presented with the prestigious Kennedy Center Award in Washington, in 1993,
was also feted there in1995 with a sellout concert titled "Great Vibes," in which most of the jazz
artists who played with or were influenced by Hamp   over the past 60 years paid musical tribute
to the jazz giant. At the grand finale, Hampton joined Illinois Jacquet for a show-stopping rendition
of Lionel's own "Flying Home." In the past two years Hampton was feted in a series of tributes at
Harlem's Apollo Theater, where he still holds the all-time attendance record.
Hamp was also honored at Lincoln Center twice; at Vienna's Chancellery, where he was presented
with Austria's National Medal of Arts; at the Nice Jazz Festival, where heperformed both at its
opening in 1948 and on its 50th Anniversary in 1998; and on July 23 in the East Wing of the White
House, with such celebrities as John Glenn, Congressman Charles Rangel, John Conyers and
Ben Gilman in attendance, where he cajoled President Clinton into performing a sax solo with him.
Hampton, who turned 90 this past April 20, performed at the Blue Note Jazz Club that night,
and was joined by Bill Cosby, Tito Puente, Betty Carter and Milt Jackson in an all-star jamsession.
Lionel Hampton's 1942 recording of "Flying Home" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996.

1998
November-2 The Plaza Hotel

APPLAUSE FOR GRINBERGS SHOUTS FOR LIONEL HAMPTON!
By Barry Dougherty

The Friars Foundation's annual Applause Award Dinner, held at the Plaza Hotel on
November 2, 1998, proved that you don't have to be stuffy to be a Foundation. The
gala­which honored Friar Gerry Grinberg, President of Movado Group, Inc., with the
Applause Award and jazz great Friar Lionel Hampton with the Creative
Achievement Award­was busting at the seams from the music, laughter and
filled-to-capacity crowd. It was quite a night!
The night became filled with magic when Lionel Hampton was seated before his
famous Vibraphone while his amazing orchestra backed him up. The energy they
created had the audience on their feet and when he launched into a rendition of What
A Wonderful World there wasn't a dry eye in the house! He proved why he's the
master of jazz­not to mention his credibility at being the recipient of the
Creative Achievement Award.

--
 Friars Lionel Hampton and Gerry Grinberg

--

1998
.
December-08
Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra at the Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE. USA.

Hans Bebop, The Netherlands
 e-mail

Have you seen Hamp play or can you give me other
details  you've heard or seen, please let me know.

Back