Lionel Hampton Story 1999. (NEW URL)

The Lionel Hampton Story 1908-2002
1999

Last update: 2010. Oktober 10.

January 1th.
Legendary Bandleader
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
to Perform NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA at The Hilton Tarrytown
The Hilton Tarrytown, 455 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY will be the site for the second
annual New Year's Eve Gala to support Jazz Forum Arts. The evening will feature
legendary bandleader and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and his thirteen piece orchestra
who will play three sets for dinner and dancing. Jazz Forum Arts' mission is to present top quality arts
events to the public at little or no cost, and to this end has presented the free
Riverside Park Arts Festival in N.Y.C. for thirteen years, the Kensico
Dam Music Fest, Jazz Thursdays at the Westchester, the Sunnyside Jazz Festival and jazz concert series
at Tarrytown MusicHall, the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill and The Town Hall in N.Y.C.

The evening begins with a cocktail hour, with hot and cold hors d'oeuvres at 8 PM in the
Hendrick Hudson Ballroom, with a silent auction of donated items available for bidding all evening.
At 9 PM the party moves to the Grand Ballroom, where Lionel
Hampton (who just released a new recording!) will hold forth with his swinging big band until
1 AM, January 1, 1999. Theserved gourmet dinner features broiled filet mignon or grilled fillet of salmon,
and includes flambeed baked Alaska for dessert and a champagne toast at midnight.
An open bar of premium brands and wine service will be offered throughout the entire gala.

Limited to 250 persons, admission is $145 per person plus gratuity and hotel room packages are available as well.
For reservations and more information, call Jazz Forum Arts directly at 914-631-1000 (24-hour event hotline.

January 30th.

In Concert. Lionel Hampton Jazz legend brings his good vibes back home.
By RICK MATTINGLY © The Courier-Journal
Reviewed Jan. 31, 1999
"I'm glad we went home again," said Lionel Hampton last night at the Louisville Palace theater,
where the 90-year-old Louisville native performed in a benefit concert for the 100 Black Men of
Louisville and the Park DuValle Community Health Center. And throughout the concert,
the audience members repeatedlylet Hampton know that they were happy to have him home.

Last night at the Palace, he let the members of his 10-piece big band take most of the solos, while he
supplied harmonic colors and contrapuntal lines. On some tunes, he did not play at all.
But when he did solo, he proved that the masters of jazz are the ones who can say the most with the
fewest notes. His melodic sense was still strong, and he could still shape the melody through dynamic
contrast. Hampton's strongest performance was in the ballad "Midnight Sun," in which he took
command of the haunting melody, for the most part sounding confident and accurate.
He also featured his cousin, Louisville singer Kim Hampton, who delivered a saucy version
of "Route 66" followed by a tender rendition of "Misty."

Although Hampton's vibraphone was often silent, his good vibes filled the theater as he told a story
about attending New Zion Baptist Church ("We had a hell of a time!") and commented that he should
move back to Louisville because "there are a lot of good-lookin' women here."

__________

February-5th.
Press Release ** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **

LIONEL HAMPTON, DR. WALTER TURNBULL, LUTHER GATLING HONORED BY
CONSULATE GENRERAL OF ISRAEL
Ambassador Shmuel Sisso Hosts Annual Commemoration for Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
NEW YORK -- This year's honorees are jazz legend Lionel Hampton; community leader and
President of One Hundred Black Men of NewYork, Luther Gatling; and founder and president
of the Boy's Choirof Harlem, Dr. Walter J. Turnbull. The Jewish National
Fund will plant trees in their honor at the Martin Luther King, Jr. forest in Jerusalem, Israel.

__________

1999, February.

0Program Book.

From The Program Book

1999-February-24/27

Affiche Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow-Idaho-USA

Februari 24: Internationaal Jazz Concert. Performers scheduled to appear: Lionel Hampton, vibes. Hank Jones, piano. Herb Ellis, guitar. Lewis Nash, drums. Claudio Roditi, trumpet (Brazil). Grady Tate, drums. Santi Debriano, bass (Panama). Bill Charlap, piano. Jay Ashby, trombone. Lembit Saarsalu, tenor saxophone (Estonia)Leonid Vintskevich, piano (Russia).
Kuni Mikami, piano. Wally "Gator" Watson, drums. Christian Bausch, bass (Germany),Evelyn White, vocals. Billy Contreas, violin. Brian Bromberg, Bass. Christian Fabian, Bass. Jim Martinez, Piano. 0

Jim Martinez, Piano and Christian Fabian, Bass
Note: Lionel's vibes in the foreground.

February, 25: SPECIAL QUEST CONCERT. Lionel Hampton, Ray Brown, Freddy Cole, Hank Jones, Herb Ellis Roy Hargrove, Al Gray, Grady Tate,
Bill Charlap a.o. Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

February, 26. ALL-STAR CONCERT. Lionel Hampton, Lou Rawls, Hank Jones, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Bud Shank, Dave Friesen, Grady Tate. Ronnie Cuber, Dee Daniels en Igor Butman.

Lionel Hampton en Lou Rawls. Right. Lionel Hampton and ?

Febuary, 27: GIANTS OF JAZZ CONCERT. Diana Krall, Russel Malone, Ben Wolfe Hank Jones, Herb Ellis, Lewis Nash, Grady Tate, Santi Debriano, Christian Baysch.
Final: LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS NEW YORK BIG BAND.

HAMP STILL SWINGS! Lionel Hampton and the 1999 University of Idaho Jazz Festival
By Jamie Waggoner Moscow, Idaho - "I'm the luckiest man I know. I love my life. Music, travel, friends, fans and the wonderful fulfillment of help i young music students further their talents brings me great joy.
Tell me, what more could I ask for? At the ripe old age of 91, Lionel "Hamp" Hampton is a stellar musical prodigy and performer that still rocks both the jazz and swing worlds. In his role as international King of the Vibraphone for now over half a century, Hamp jumps from country to country and club to club without
stopping for a vacation.

lionel and kids new.tif (147238 bytes) - lionel with kids old.tif (145030 bytes)

Reminiscing about a lifetime of honors, recognition and fame, Hamp still holds that the highlight
of his career happened when the University of Idaho's music school (Moscow, Id) was renamed
the Lionel Hampton School of Music in 1987.This was the first school of music at a university level to be named after a jazz musician.
Two years prior in February 1985, the annual jazz festival held at UI had already been named the
"Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival."
The Jazz Festival has an interesting history all by itself; it evolved from a single-day event consisting
of fifteen local student groups and a lone performance by trumpeter Billy Brisbois, to a gala
celebration hosting well over 30,000 people at nightly concerts and 600 student groups from around
the world in 1999. Somenotable artists, aside from Lionel "Hamp" Hampton and his big band,
attending and performing at the 1999 festival included:
Brian Bromberg (bass), Herb Ellis (guitar), Billy Contreras (violin) Crosscurrent
(hard swingin' jazz quintet), Al Grey (trombone), Hank Jones (piano), Diana Krall (piano/vocals),
Lou Rawls (vocals), and Wally "Gator" Watson (drums) among many others.

'All faces of music' OK, Lionel Hampton says. Story Posted Sat Feb 27 15:15:09 EST 1999.

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) - Jazz great Lionel Hampton doesn’t begrudge other types of music at the
University of Idaho jazz festival that bears his name. He celebrates the rhythms.
"We do all faces of music," the 90-year-old Hampton said. "Hip hop and rhythm and blues, they were
a part of the swing era. They go to keep the music going."
The 32nd annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival opened Wednesday, featuring Lou Rawls, Diana Krall,
Joe Lovano, the Ray Brown Trio and, of course, Lionel Hampton himself.
"I feel like I could play forever," Hampton said Tuesday, his eyes widening and a smile growing on his lips.

1999, March 3. Dear Hans Bebop,
I gave your message to Hamp and he loved it. I am working on a project for Lionel called
"To Hamp with Love" and it is going very well. I have many of the artist who have played with Hamp doing a few minutes on a tape recorder and them we are writing them and will burn a
CD for Lionel with all of these messages to him.
Would you like to be involved? We would need this as soon as possible to include it with this
entire project. All the Best. Doc Skinner (Festival Director)

_____

February 28th.

Lionel Hampton and his Big Band

Hello Hans, May-12
Your such a big Hamp fan, I saw him reecently in Bellingham, Washington with
his band. Great band. he played, mostly with his right hand and sang 'It's
a wonderful world" as an encore. He stayed on the stage at intermission so
I went down and got him to autograph a down beat and a poster. Was friendly
but hand was shaky and I had to guide his hand to where he was to sign. Says
eyesight is poor. That's twice I've seen the band and maybe (hope not) the last.
Regards, Greg Holden

March 06th.

Emeryville, The Kimball's East Jazzclub
Lionel Hampton and his Big band.

__________

1999-march-12 Xavier University. Orpheum Theatre

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Present: Lionel Hampton "KING of the VIBES" in Concert.
The LPO is proud to announce a collaboration with Xavier University. In recognition of the orchestra's
musical excellence and Xavier's educational contributions, Lionel Hampton, the reigning King of the
vibraphone and a long-time friend and supporter of Xavier, will make a special New Orleans appearance.

"Hamp" will join the LPO on Friday, March 12 a 8pm for an unforgettable evening of classical, jazz and
big band music in the Orpheum Theatre. All proceeds will benefit Xavier and the LPO. The concert will
feature Hamp's classical composition "King David Suite", along with his favorite
"What a Wonderful World".
There will also be a special guest appeara by local trumpeter Kermit Ruffins.
Intervieuw with Lionel Hampton
__________

Lionel Hampton Vibes Mallets PHL

--------Biography
Milt Jackson Vibes Mallets PMJ-----------------------------------------------------

The Great Vibesplayer Milt Jackson (76) is Oct. 12 passed away.

----------------------He played with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker. ___________

To Hans Bebop from Bern
March-23 to 27th
Bern
Lionel Hampton and his 10 musician Band.
Tony Berrero, Jim Rotondi tp. Charles Stephens tb. Lance Bryant, Patience Higgins ts.
Cleave Guyton, Marshall McDonalds as.
Kuni Mikami p. Jimmy Woode b. Wally "Gator" Watson dr. Lionel Hampton vibes and vocals.

Hampton played 2 show's a night. The first show started at 19:30, the second at 22:00.
The duration from the Concerts were about 1 1/2 hours.
I did attend Thuesday & Saturday all Shows. As usual the band played very well and the
arrangements were real swinging. Lionel himself played very few notes
(it's heartbreaking to see that !) but he was still there and (I think) played enjoyed himself.

Best wishes
Rolf
__________

March 29 to April-03

Jazz Club Lionel HAMPTON, Paris Du 29 mars au 3 avril a 22h30 et 0h30

LIONEL HAMPTON & His Band
" L’événement... évidemment. Il faudrait être fou pour ne pas aller redire bonjour à ce vieux
monsieur - 90 balair, quand même - qui, dès qu’on l’installe sur une scène, s’y transforme en un
démiurge farceur et swingant.
Lionel Hampton, c’est toute l’histoire du jazz. Le Chicago Defender Newsboys Band en
1920, Armstrong en 1930, Benny Goodman en 36, les solistes du Duke et du Count
regroupés autour de lui dans les années 40 puis les flamboyants big bands où tous défileront,
d’Illinois Jacquet à Quincy Jones, de Charles Mingus à Clifford Brown.

April 01
Hamp à Paris, dans " son " Jazz-Club

International Herald Tribune
Lionel Hampton Is Still Swinging
Packing the House, at 91

By Mike Zwerin International Herald Tribune
PARIS - During Lionel Hampton's just concluded week in the room
named for him, Jazz Club Lionel Hampton in the Meridien Hotel at Porte
Maillot, people in the sold-out audience were saying that this was
probably the last time they would ever see him. Audiences have been
saying that for well over a decade now.
He lends new meaning to the term living legend. Part of the experience of
watching him perform in 1999 is the clear implication of the entire history
of 20th-century popular music. He will be 91 on April 20. This is not a
round number and there will be no official celebration. Still, at this point,
each passing year should be cheered. Either way, promoters have been
inquiring about New Year's Eve.

April 28th.
Dear Hans,

What a great web page! Thanks for doing all that work for Lionel Hampton.
Just to keep you informed, here are a few upcoming gigs you might want to mention:

May 7 Westchester Conservatory of Music, White Plains, NY
July 15 (approximate date..not yet confirmed): Swing Festival, Stuttgart, Germany
September 6 Great Neck Town Park, annual Labor Day concert

Will provide you with other information as it comes in.
Warm regards,

Phil Leshin,
(Manager Lionel Hampton)

May 07th.
Westchester Conservatory of Music, White Plains, NY
Lionel Hampton and his Big Band

1999-May-13
Lionel Hampton does not go to Russia

Dear Hans Bebop,
I really enjoyed your Web page dedicated to Hamp's great talent. This February,
I've enjoyed the happiness to see him live at Lionel Hampton
Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho. How sad that Lionel's visit to Moscow, Russia,
planned for Apr.21, didn't happened due to political difficulties.
An online press conference with Lionel for Russian media thet I had planned for May 13 th
was canceled as well because of technical problems. But when I look at your page I forget
all that wasn't done and enjoy Lionel's sunny personality.
Thank you. I plan to link yor site from links collection on my server, Jazz in Russia
(http://www.jazz.ru).

Sincerely yours,
Cyril W. Moshkow,
member of Moscow Jazz Journalists Association

"Jazz In Russia" online magazine
editor-in-chief
moshkow@jazz.ru

May 1999

Lionel Hampton and Jim Martinez at Lionel's home
Lionel Hampton is now 91 years young and is one of the last jazz pioneers still performing. Certainly
     one of the biggest highlights of my life was hanging out with Lionel at his Manhattan apartment in
     1997. Here is the story how it all came to pass.
As I was getting ready to perform at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho in Feb. '97,
     the musical director, Dr. Lynn Skinner, informed me about Lionel's recent fire in his NYC apartment.
     Lionel lost almost all his musical memorabilia, including his vibes and piano. Since I work for Young
     Chang Pianos/Kurzweil, it was a natural thought to give him one of our digital pianos with 336
     awesome sounds, complete with vibes.
The piano was delivered to him early that spring. It was then that I decided someone needed to show
     Lionel and his big band pianist, Kuni Mikami, how to fully use it. Thus, the NY trip was about to
     happen. While his fire-destroyed apartment was being fixed, a beautiful temporary suite, located
     directly next to Tower of Records in Manhattan, was where he lived.
I brought my father along and we all enjoyed talking and listening to music. I'll never forget when Lionel
     asked me to play a couple of songs for him on the piano. I was never nervous, as he really made me
     feel comfortable the entire time of our visit. I had transcribed and sequenced the exact rendition of his
     1946 version of "Flyin' Home" on the Kurzweil digital. I loaded the song from my floppy disk and
     pushed play. I clearly remember his slight smile and intense demeanor while listening. Incredibly, he
     wanted me to replay it 3 times!
Again, I was given the opportunity to perform at his festival in 1998. The highlight continued, when I
     saw Lionel again and he remembered who I was. He was being pushed in his wheelchair down the
     hallway of our hotel. He saw me, pointed and said, "Hey-y-y-y, piano man!" I will never forget that.

May-24 The Blue Note Jazz Club, New York.

LIONEL HAMPTON: TABLE $35.00 BAR $20.00
09.00 PM and 11.30 PM
____________

July-16
cover_.jpg (8902 Byte)
Das Programm der Jazz Open Stuttgart 1999

hampton_lionel.jpg (10107 Byte) clooney_rosemary.jpg (10736 Byte)
Lionel Hampton Rosemary Clooney

Zum aktullen Swing-Revival paßt die Begegnung mit der Veteranen Lionel Hampton.
Am zweiten Festivaltag wird sein Orchestra mit der Sängerin Rosemary Clooney und
Gästen an die besten Zeiten von Jump, Boogie Woogie und Swing erinnern.

Lionel Hampton, Rosemary Clooney on TV
Live von den LBBW Jazz Open Stuttgart 99
16.07.99 SW BW - 0:30 Uhr

In Stuttgart präsentierte sich die Legende mit jungen Bläsertalenten, die mit Verve und Vergnügen
     die Swing-Vita weiterführten. Lionel Hampton konnte nur noch rechtshändig in quälender Mühe
     dürftige Melodielinien beisteuern. Die einzige Neuigkeit war, daß er bei dem Reißer "Sing, Sing,
     Sing" in seine Improvisation ausgiebig die israelische Nationalhymne, die sich ja aus der gleichen
     Lied-Quelle wie Smetanas "Moldau" speist, einfließen ließ. Bei seinen alten Hits kann sich der
     sehr verwirrt wirkende Hampton noch irgendwie zurechtfinden, schwierig ist für ihn relativ neues
     Material. So blieb er stumm, als DeeDee Bridgewater "Shiny Stockings" in einem von Frank
     Foster für das Count Basie Orchestra gefertigtes Arrangement sang. Aber bei dem - nicht nur zur
     Sonnenfinsternis aktuellen - Song "How High The Moon" klöppelte er eine Intro und dann weitere
     Einzeltöne. Nachdem das Hampton-Konzert zeitversetzt im TV-Programm "Südwest BW"
     zeitversetzt ausgestrahlt wurde, kam im Internet Chat-Jazzern die Frage auf, ob es Sinn mache,
     wenn ein Künstler in dieser Verfassung noch auftrete.
bridgewater-hampton - Foto: Hans Kumpf
Dee Dee Bridgewater and Lionel Hampton 1999-July-16. Stuttgart

Fulminant überzeugen konnte an diesem Abend der vom Veranstalter lange Zeit anonymisierte
"very special guest", nämlich die 49jährige Denise "DeeDee" Bridgewater.
Sie überragte auch die kurzatmige Rosemary Clooney beim
gemeinsam vorgetragenen Ellington-Hit "It Don't Mean A Thing. If It Ain't Got That Swing".
Die nunmehr gehbehinderte Sängerin mag vielen Käufern von billigen
Christmas-CD-Samplern durch iheit- mütterlichen
Interpretationen von "Jingle Bells" und "Rudolph, The Rednosed Reindeer" vertraut sein.
Wie Hampton zehrt auch die 70jährige von den Erfolgen der Vergangenheit.
Gestartet hatte Rosemary Clooney den mit "Swing it"
betitelten Abend mit einer von dem Altsaxophonisten,
Pianisten und Sänger Matt Catingub angeführten Big
Band, die mit und ohne Sonnenbrillen auf Show setzte.