S.O.D. "Flying Home" by Lionel Hampton

8/31/2018     You have to be pretty skilled to lead a big band with a vibraphone.  This man did it with pizzazz, and went on to be a part of more than 100 works during his career, including 11 films. He has received 29 awards, some of them prestigious honors.  

     Hampton enjoyed charity work and founded the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation, starting with the Lionel Hampton Houses in Harlem, New York In the 60s. Nelson Rockefeller who was New York's governor at the time, lended a hand.  His wife, Gladys was also responsible for public housing projects.  The artist left us in 2002 after a career of more than 70 years.