Lionel “Hamp” Hampton one of the most extraordinary musicians of the 20th century

On my walk at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, just across the road from jazz legend Miles Davis’s grave, I discovered the final resting place of the great vibraphonist, drummer, and bandleader Lionel Hampton.

At the NBC studio, the vibraphone once sat unused in a corner, only called upon to play the network’s famous bing-bang-bong station identification. It was Louis Armstrong who first recognized the magic between Lionel “Hamp” Hampton and the vibraphone, inviting him to add the instrument to the score of their recording, “Memories of You.” After that moment, Lionel never looked back, helping to bring the vibraphone into the spotlight of jazz history.

Lionel Hampton died in New York City on August 31, 2002. He was 94. His wife, Gladys, died in 1971.

Resting beside Lionel is his wife, Gladys Hampton, she was Lionel’s business manager throughout much of his career. Many musicians recall that Lionel ran the music and Gladys ran the business.