[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 125 (Monday, September 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1711]]
                         ``THE KING OF VIBES''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2001

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, as the Dean of the Congressional Black 
Caucus, and chairman of its annual Jazz Issue Forum and Concert, I rise 
to call to this body's attention the achievements of a distinguished 
American, Mr. Lionel Hampton. At the age of 92, he continues a career 
that has brought him international acclaim as a musician, composer, and 
bandleader. I am extremely honored that he will be my guest here in 
Washington, DC, on Thursday, September 27, 2001, during the 
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference. 
That evening, my colleagues and I will have the opportunity to thank 
him for the great pleasure that his life's work has brought to us, and 
to millions across this nation and around the world.
  The Congressional Black Caucus is not alone this year in recognizing 
the magnificence of what Lionel Hampton has accomplished. On January 
31, 2001, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American 
History added ``Hamp's'' vibraphone to its collection of ``national 
treasures.'' In addition, on February 22, 2001, the University of Idaho 
dedicated the Lionel Hampton Center for the Study and Performance of 
Jazz. The University, however, did not just discover and acknowledge 
Lionel Hampton's genius, it did so many years ago by launching the 
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in 1984, It reaffirmed its reverence of 
Hampton in 1987 by establishing the Lionel Hampton School of Music; the 
first music school named in honor of a jazz musician.
  Born April 12, 1909, in Louisville Kentucky, Lionel Hampton has for 
70 years been a giant in the field of jazz. Many highlights of his 
career are noted in the following excerpts from a biography prepared by 
the University of Idaho:
  Lionel Hampton began his phenomenal musical career at an early age 
when a student at the Holy Rosary Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where 
he studied under the strict supervision of the Dominican Sisters. His 
first instrument was a set of drums and his idol during these early 
years was drummer Jimmy Bertrand whose records he treasured. Louis 
Armstrong soon became a major influence in Hamp's young years. It was 
in 1930 that Armstrong hired him to appear, on the drums, at a Los 
Angeles nightclub engagement. Louis was so impressed with Hampton's 
talents he invited him to join his big band for a recording session. 
During the session break, Armstrong led young Hampton to a set of vibes 
and asked if he knew how to play them. Lionel, who was well schooled in 
his keyboard studies, picked up the mallets and played. The first tune 
cut that day, ``Memories of You,'' (with Lionel on vibes) became a 
tremendous hit and has remained a classic throughout the years.
  In 1936, Benny Goodman asked Lionel to join his small group, 
featuring Goodman, Teddy Wilson on piano, and Gene Krupa on drums. They 
immediately became the legendary Benny Goodman Quartet. Musical history 
was being made, both for the
  The Lionel Hampton Orchestra had a phenomenal array of sidemen. Among 
those who got their start with Hamp were: Quincy Jones, Wes Montgomery, 
Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Ernie Royal, Joe Newman and Fats Navarro. 
Among Lionel's proteges were singers Dinah Washington, Joe Williams, 
Betty Carter and Aretha Franklin. Over the years, jazz giant Hampton 
has received innumerable prestigious awards, which keep coming to the 
distinguished musical master. Among them: The title, American Goodwill 
Ambassador, bestowed by Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, The Papal 
Medal from Pope Paul I, Sixteen Honorary Doctorates, and in 1992 the 
highly esteemed Kennedy Center Honors Award, in which he shared the 
musical distinction with Mstislav Rostropovich,
  Also a celebrated composer, Hamp's original ballad, ``Midnight Sun'' 
(with Johnny Mercer and Sonny Burke) has become a beloved classic in 
American Jazz and popular music. His talent in the symphonic field is 
highly respected. Two major symphonic works, ``King David Suite'' and 
``Blues Suite'' have been performed often by leading orchestras 
throughout the world.
  Despite the rigors of his hectic calendar, Hampton continues to amaze 
those in the music business with the care and time he devotes to many 
public service projects. A ``dream'' of his would be to aid in the 
creation of a university in Uptown New York ``. . . where young Black 
kids can learn to be Doctors, Lawyers, IBM technicians, and, maybe even 
musicians.''
  Mr. Speaker, Lionel Hampton has established himself one of our 
nation's greatest cultural heroes and ambassadors. Therefore, I urge 
all Members to join me in paying him this well deserved tribute.

                          ____________________