with Lionel Hampton in Metuchen New Jersey
Lionel Hampton, the great Jazz vibe player has passed on.
This is my encounter with this unique Gentleman...
In 1992, I was playing at this bar/restaurant
in Metuchen New Jersey, called the Metuchen
Inn --
just doing what I did a lot that year....a solo gig on piano, guitar &
vocals.
The gal who went on before me was a wonderful Jazz singer/pianist
whose name totally escapes me now. Anyway, she was doing two sets, and on her break, we started talkin'
'bout music, who we both respected as artists, whatever, and she just slides in the conversation that her pal,
Hamp would probably be stoppin' by to say hi...
I say, "Hamp? You don't mean...?"
Uh-huh...Jazz legend himself, Lionel Hampton. Within 10 minutes of this little chat, "Hamp" walks in,
84 years young,
with a smile to end all smiles...a picture of grace and
Jazz history before my eyes. My new singer friend does her set,
and I nervously get up and do mine...no, not Jazz-can't even touch it, man...LOVE it, but I cut my teeth on
British Pop and American Rock Concert n' Roll...It was basically a cover gig, but I threw in a few originals.
When I finished my set, the singer gal introduces me to this amazing man-he compliments me on my originals,
and asks me for a tape....says, "he still knows
people!" then asks me if he could sit it on a blues number.
Alright, lemme think about this-
OK, sure, that'll work. I'm nervously taking care of the chords, and bass
keys,
and his
TWO beautiful long bony fingers, as if they were vibraphone mallets,
are just dancing up in the treble landscape-he's sure not playing like he's
84!...he's smilin', I'm REALLY smilin',
the place is lit up-and in my Suburban boy-mind, I'm in Harlem in the 40's or on
West 57th Street somewhere way back in time...Hamp
is my ticket onboard that Jazz train...
He asked me to sit and have dinner with him and his lady friend, and that's where this picture is from.
A memorable night, for sure...
Boy, somewhere up there....can you IMAGINE the band they're assemblin'!
~*~ If you'd like to know more about Lionel Hampton click H E R E ~*~
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