Lionel Hampton Interview by Monk Rowe - 10/18/1995 - NYC
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- Vibraphonist and band leader Lionel Hampton shares stories about his lengthy career and associations with Benny Goodman, Joe Williams, Louis Armstrong and Dinah Washington. He also addresses the mixing of black and white musicians in public in the 1930s.
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This interview was conducted when Hamp was age 87, after he had had several strokes which impacted his speech. You may wish to turn on the closed captioning feature (click CC) to enjoy this -- as his mind was sharp as ever.
God bless you Monk!! 🙏
Great to see one of the few interviews with Lionel Hampton. Have seen him and his bands about 18 times. Was always a wonderful experience. Astonishing how sharp his mind is even he had health wise hard times. Thank you very much for your great work!
Thank you very much for the kind reply. I am honored. Just took some Lionel Hampton records from the shelve to listen to them because of this interview. My favorite is "Reunion at Newport" from 1967 with, in my personal opinion, the ultimate Flying Home version played by a stellar band (Joe Newman, Snooky Young, Al Grey, Jerome Richardson, Britt Woodman, Benny Powell, Milt Buckner, Frank Foster and so many others) and Illinois Jacquet at his cooking best. This record is really swinging all through from A to Z. It's a lesson in grooving big band music. One thing which comes to my mind watching these interviews by the Fillius Jazz Archive at Hamilton College: Respect the elder, listen to their stories, them are living, breathing history books which will be gone one day no matter what their biography may be. Listen to them, it enhances yourself.
Great interview with a true jazz legend
You know, I've watched this interview maybe five times. - I understood initially much of the overall significance of this interview. But it is only now, in this watching, that I realize something of its true depth.
I commend you, Monk, for getting Mr. Hampton to open up in this way with you here. What he offers in this interview is priceless in terms of our understanding of jazz musicianship at the most organic level, and at this most important juncture.
Truly, I believe that doctoral theses could (and will) be written on what Lionel Hampton cryptically intimates in this interview.
Thank you for this compliment. It's interesting that the comment preceding yours was on our first session with Jon Hendricks. The two interviews occurred one after another in a NY hotel room. In fact, they briefly were in the room at the same time. You can imagine how I felt that day.
Great video ! Really awesome ! Thanks very much for sharing ! Martin
I watch these interviews rather closely, so I wonder how is it I didn’t know about your interview with Lionel Hampton?
I place this in a special place, Monk, along with your interviews with Harry Edison, Jay McShann and Jerry Jerome. - Great jazz musicians from that most important generation.
This is a great and important interview, even though Lionel is perhaps a little frail and (pardon the term) sluggish.
We all know, I would guess, just what an impeccable and profound a musician Lionel Hampton was. He had the capacity, like very few musicians, to really and very deeply communicate with an audience in a live situation.
Yes, his time with Benny Goodman was great. And he did lead those exciting bands of the 1940s and 50s.
But I love that you touched on his great series of small group sessions recorded for RCA Victor between 1937 and 1941. Those are very important documents of small group jazz during that magical period. Right up there with the Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday stuff.
Thanks n.larson. That was a memorable day, my first session with Jon Hendricks took place right before this one. Jon and Lionel were in the room at the same time and greeted each other as "Gates", one of the go to useful nick names that jazz cats used. Lionel had suffered a stroke sometime before this session. I saw him perform at Lincoln Center around this time. He slowly shuffled on stage, it felt like everyone in the audience was holding their breath. When he picked up his mallets it was like he shed 50 years. Quite amazing.
Monk’s work is so important. He gets better and better at it
In the words of old Hamp: Look out, Gates! What a legend. Some pioneers take big chances, like he did. The results are history.
Incidentally, when Mr. Hampton refers to to the Victor Hot Mallets session of 1939 as the first BeBop records, he's speaking of the session shown below. It was the first record session on which Dizzy Gillespie was able to solo significantly. - That's why it is sometimes referred to as the first modern jazz date. While Dizzy's solos are quite impressive, particularly for their time, the overall style here is 1930s swing.
But this session was also famous for the collective aggregation assembled in the studio that day.
Just look at that personnel, and realize that it certainly was one of the greatest all-star jazz ensembles ever put together for a record date!
Lionel Hampton And His Orchestra
Dizzy Gillespie, trumpet; Benny Carter, alto sax; Chu Berry, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, tenor sax; Lionel Hampton, vibes #1,3,4, vibes, vocal #2; Clyde Hart, piano; Charlie Christian, guitar; Milt Hinton, bass; Cozy Cole, drums.
NYC, September 11, 1939
1. 041406-1 When Lights Are Low Victor 26371; His Master's Voice (E) B 9750
2. 041407-1 One Sweet Letter From You Victor 26393; V-Disc 360
3. 041408-1 Hot Mallets Victor 26371; His Master's Voice (F) DA 4978, (F) K 8733; Bluebird 07863-66528-2
4. 041409-1 Early Session Hop Victor 26393
Oh to be a fly on the wall at that session. These musicians were in their prime and exploring. Dizzy and C. Christian in their early 20s, Hawk was 35, probably considered the "elder"! And the Dean of the Bass, Milt Hinton of course was there.
RIP Giant!
The coffee seemed to improve Hamp's speech a bit. Whatever the result, a good interview from a vitally important figure in jazz.
It was a thrill and a challenge. This session was followed by one with Jon Hendricks. I recall they met in the room when Lionel was leaving and Jon was arriving. Lionel greeted Jon with "hey Gates" and Jon replied, "hey Gates".
Monk, I just want to say that I very much appreciate your responding to my observations. I appreciate all you have done for jazz fans worldwide with your amazing archives of interviews. As a life-long jazz fan, and long time DJ on Temple University's WRTI, I look forward to hearing the recollections and wisdom of these giants. Thank you immensely! I'm also glad for your series of "Covid" interviews, keeping us up to date. (The chat with Alvin Queen was particularly worthwhile)Keep up the great work!!
@@postatility9703 Hello!
There are a "chat" with Alvin Queen to see ??? Is there a link?
Have a nice day !