Artist Info: Lionel Hampton And His Orchestra

Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002), was a bandleader, jazz percussionist and vibraphone virtuoso. Hampton was born in Louisville, Kentucky.

"Hamp" ranks among the greatest names in jazz history and worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman to Charlie Parker to Quincy Jones.

Hampton moved to Chicago as a child and began his career as a drummer. He relocated to Los Angeles to play drums in Les Hite's band. They soon became the house band for Frank Sebastian's New Cotton Club, a popular L.A. jazz club. [read more...]