Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hamptonwas an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Hampton worked with jazz musicians from Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich to Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, and Quincy Jones. In 1992, he was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1996...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionDrummer
Date of Birth20 April 1908
CityLouisville, KY
CountryUnited States of America
Working with Benny was important for me and for black musicians in general.
So I always figured I'd still be playing at this age.
I feel honored to have been a part of that dramatic change.
Black and white players hadn't appeared together in public before Teddy Wilson and I began working with B.G.
The secret is keeping busy, and loving what you do.
I think I love it more as I get older because I keep getting better on drums, vibes and piano.
Music was our wife, and we loved her. And we stayed with her, and we clothed her, and we put diamond rings on her hands.