( 1908 - 2002 )
Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, born in Louisville, Kentucky, ranks among the great names in jazz history. As a bandleader, his orchestra was known around the world and songs like Sunny Side of the Street, Flying Home, and Hamp's Boogie-Woogie all went to the top of the charts upon release. As a composer and arranger, Hampton wrote more than 200 works. He served as Goodwill Ambassador for the United States and was awarded the National Medal of the Arts.