Lionel Hampton

Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton toured with big bands for most of his career as a leader and it is hard to imagine a greater cast of all-stars and future bandleaders in one particular edition than this 1953 concert, the second of two issued by TCB decades after it was recorded for broadcast by Swiss Radio. Trumpeters Art Farmer, Clifford Brown, Quincy Jones (who doubles on piano, as Dodo Marmarosa failed to make the trip), trombonists Jimmy Cleveland and Buster Cooper, plus alto saxophonist Gigi Gryce and drummer Alan Dawson are all present, with Hampton generously featuring his sidemen in addition to taking his share of crowd-pleasing solos. Gryce's "Gryce Suite (Brown Skin)" features the young sensation Clifford Brown, while the obligatory requests for "Flying Home," "He-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop," "Air Mail Special," and "'Hamp's Boogie Woogie" (the latter with the leader's trademarked two finger piano solo) delighting the audience. The booklet also includes a number of rare photos taken of the band during the tour. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide