Object Details
Artist
Frederick J. Brown, 6 Feb 1945 - 5 May 2012
Sitter
Lionel Hampton, 20 Apr 1908 - 31 Aug 2002
Exhibition Label
Born Louisville, Kentucky
Lionel Hampton began his musical career as a drummer, but Louis Armstrong encouraged him to take up the vibraphone in the early 1930s. Hampton introduced that instrument to the jazz idiom and came to the attention of Benny Goodman in 1936. When Goodman formed the Benny Goodman Quartet, Hampton played “vibes” and directed the group’s recordings of such favorites as “Dinah” and “Exactly Like You.”
In 1940, Hampton struck out on his own, incorporating such musicians as Charles Mingus, Quincy Jones, and Charlie Parker into the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Among the top bands in the country, the orchestra played all the popular clubs, as well as Carnegie Hall and Harlem’s Apollo Theatre. Hampton’s high-energy spontaneity was legendary: “We got no routine,” he once said. “We just act the way the spirit moves us.”
Nacido en Louisville, Kentucky
Lionel Hampton inició su carrera como baterista, pero Louis Armstrong lo alentó a probar el vibráfono a principios de la década de 1930. Hampton insertó dicho instrumento en el lenguaje del jazz y en 1936 captó la atención de Benny Goodman, quien lo reclutó para su Goodman Quartet. Hampton también dirigió grabaciones del grupo que han sido favoritas del público, entre ellas “Dinah” y “Exactly Like You”.
En 1940 Hampton se independizó y formó la Lionel Hampton Orchestra con músicos como Charles Mingus, Quincy Jones y Charlie Parker. La orquesta se colocó entre las primeras del país, presentándose en todos los clubes famosos así como en Carnegie Hall y el Apollo Theater de Harlem. La eléctrica espontaneidad de Hampton era legendaria: “No tenemos rutina”, decía, “simplemente actuamos según nos lo dicte el espíritu”.
Provenance
The artist; gift 1997 NPG
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on behalf of the People of New York
Date
1997
Object number
NPG.97.39
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© 1997, Frederick J. Brown
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 244.2 x 182.9 x 4.8cm (96 1/8 x 72 x 1 7/8")
Frame: 253.7 x 197.8 x 7cm (99 7/8 x 77 7/8 x 2 3/4")
Place
United States\New York\Kings\New York
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition
American Winners: Athletes and Entertainers Who Shaped the Nation
On View
NPG, West Gallery 240
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Music\Musical instrument
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie
Lionel Hampton: Male
Lionel Hampton: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Jazz musician
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.97.39