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CNN Saturday Morning News

Parade, Services Planned for Jazz Great Lionel Hampton

Aired September 07, 2002 - 07:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Family, friends, and even former presidents will remember an American jazz icon today. Lionel Hampton died a week ago. He was 94 years old.
The man known as the King of the Vibes had a music career that spanned eight decades.

With more on what should be a New Orleans-style parade and the funeral services for Hampton, Kyra Phillips is joining us in New York.

Kyra, it's good to see you there. How -- you actually knew Lionel Hampton. How did you know him?

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I sure did. I'll tell you about that in just a moment, but I'm going to tell you what can expect today, Catherine, and that is an amazing funeral service here for Lionel Hampton.

We are going to start with a second line parade. We're going to dip into that and tell you about that.

But you mentioned that Lionel was the King of Vibes. How did that start? Believe it or not, by a group of nuns. They taught him how to play the drums back in Wisconsin. Matter of fact, when I got to meet Lionel the first time, I always got to share stories with him. And he told me, "You know, Kyra, the nuns taught me, first, that I had a gift from God, and be thankful. And then, pray for some more."

Well, here's how the story goes on how he learned how to play the vibes. He and Louis Armstrong hooked up years ago. The vibes evidently were in the corner of this room when they were about to cut a record, and Lionel said, Hey, let me check that out. Went over, started playing it. And Louis said, That sounds amazing, we got to cut a record.

And then, of course, the rest is history. Lionel became so pivotal, a pivotal person in the jazz world, and also with regard to human rights and fighting discrimination. He became the first African-American to integrate the Benny Goodman band. I know we've got some video that we're going to roll and show you about his time playing with Benny Goodman.

Another thing, the nuns told him, and this was a story that Lionel had told me way back when, when I asked him about racism and integration at a time where, you know, black musicians weren't allowed to come out in public and play, and he said, "You know what, Kyra? The nuns told me I ain't got no time for discrimination. I need to do what I do best, and that is play music and love God."

Those were the two most important things to him.

Well, coming up, second line parade in about an hour and a half, and then, of course, the funeral services, where former president George Bush is going to speak, and you'll get to meet a lot of great jazz legends that are here also. Wynton Marsalis, Catherine, is going to lead that second line parade.

CALLAWAY: Wow. Well, we know the music is going to be great. A lot of people have fond memories of him. You know, I spoke with his manager last weekend, who'd been with him since, like, 1960, and he said that there was no doubt...

PHILLIPS: Phil Leshin.

CALLAWAY: ... yes, that he just loved playing with Louis Armstrong, some of his favorite times.

PHILLIPS: He -- oh, and it was amazing, that's when I first got to meet Lionel. We had mutual friends back in New Orleans. Well, just about two years ago, I got to visit with Lionel once again and hear some of his favorite stories. And one of the best ones was about when he and Louis played for Pope Pius III, and Louis called the pope "Pops," and Lionel said, "Louis, you can't call the pope `Pops,' that's the Heavenly Father."

Anyway, I was very lucky. He played a little concert for me, and jammed on the vibes a little bit. Matter of fact, we're looking at the video right now. Talk about an incredible experience, Catherine, he was a wonderful man with an infectious smile.

CALLAWAY: Yes, and what a spirit. Ninety-four years old. He was incredible. But wasn't he -- Kyra, wasn't he still touring, or at least performing, even within two, two or three years?

PHILLIPS: Yes, he -- actually he was. He was -- he actually played and jammed with the former president Clinton. Clinton fired up the saxophone, he played the vibes. His 90th birthday party, he played and he sang at the Blue Note here in New York. He was going all the way to the end, it was in his soul and in his heart.

It was his life, Catherine.

CALLAWAY: Well, you were lucky to have known him, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Oh, I was very lucky.

CALLAWAY: And we're all lucky to still have his music to listen to. Thanks, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: You bet.

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