[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1354-E1355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT C. SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the attention of my 
colleagues to the 30th anniversary of the Hampton Jazz Festival, which 
takes place from June 26th through June 29th. In what has now become 
known as the ``Festival of Legends,'' the Hampton Jazz Festival is 
clearly one of the greatest gatherings of musicians in the Nation. This 
year once again, when over 10,000 jazz fans come together each night in 
the Hampton Coliseum, they will be treated to some of the finest, most 
enduring examples of this most American of music forms. I only scratch 
the surface when I list a few of the luminaries who will be appearing 
on stage this week: George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Patti LaBelle, Gladys 
Knight, Robert Cray, and the incomparable B.B. King. Although a few of 
our perennial favorites can no longer appear--greats like Count Basie, 
Earl ``Fatha'' Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington--I am 
thrilled at the new artists who continue to keep the Hampton Jazz 
Festival fresh, innovative, and absolutely entertaining.
  It was 30 years ago when the Hampton Jazz Festival was born on the 
campus of Hampton University, in part as the result of the hard work of 
a student committee headed by John Scott. A few years later the city of 
Hampton got involved, offering its new coliseum as the home of the 
annual event. This unique partnership has helped make our festival such 
a success. Today, John Scott is the local organizer and George Wein the 
producer of what has evolved into one of America's greatest jazz get-
togethers. I, like the thousands of fans who will throng to the Hampton 
Jazz Festival later this week, look forward to another great festival 
of legends and commend the city of Hampton, the festival organizers, 
and the great artists who will share their talent to help make this 4-
day event music to our ears.

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