Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Wynton Marsalis discusses Honoring Lionel Hampton

Aired September 07, 2002 - 09:11   ET

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

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Taking you back to New York now where the parade and memorial service is under way to honor jazz great Lionel Hampton.
CNN's Kyra Phillips now with Wynton Marsalis.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wynton Marsalis is leading the second line parade. As you can see, many people out here honoring the jazz icon.

Wynton, how did Lionel Hampton make an impact on you as a musician?

WYNTON MARSALIS, JAZZ TRUMPETER: Well, the night of my senior prom, I actually was playing with Lionel Hampton's band, and he represented the very highest level of musicianship for a jazz musician. He took the music all over the world, and he gave 150 percent every night to the audiences.

And (UNINTELLIGIBLE) any kind of music, from John Coltrane's music to the most -- to the earliest music.

PHILLIPS: And Wynton, the world is watching right now, watching you, watching all the people honoring Lionel Hampton. Tell me what you're going to do right now to sing this brother into heaven.

MARSALIS: Well, we're going to do a traditional New Orleans number. The hymn is called "Free as a Bird, Free as a Bird to the Mountain." And with everybody out here for Hamp, it's a somber occasion, but it's beautiful, because it's a affirmation of his music as a body.

PHILLIPS: And he is listening. You ready to go?

MARSALIS: Yes, we're ready.

PHILLIPS: Let's do it.

MARSALIS: I will.

(Wynton Marsalis and band play "Free as a Bird")

MOLINEAUX: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) horse-drawn carriage, but it could be a Cadillac hearse, and you'd still have the same feel for (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

CALLAWAY: A parade honoring jazz great Lionel Hampton. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com