The Lionel Hampton Quartet Speaker Corners LP I bought from Acoustic Sounds arrived today. The album has four tracks on it, with Just One of Those Things and Stompin' at the Savoy on Side 1 and How High the Moon and The Nearness of You on Side 2.

Lionel Hampton, the King of the Vibes, has a special place in my heart after seeing him play many years ago at the Lionel Hampton School of Music in Moscow, Idaho, during the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival along with other jazz luminaries.

The jazz festival includes a lot of interactions with jazz students from far and wide, and in particular I remember one young jazz student who traveled all the way from Russia to participate. The young fellow could not afford to buy his own instrument (a saxophone) and had to borrow one to play during his performance (which was truly inspiring, by the way). After his performance the young jazz student paid homage to Lionel Hampton by getting down on his knees in front of Lionel, and then bowing his head to the ground. It caught Lionel by surprise I think, and probably embarrassed him somewhat, but he took the young man by the hand and helped him up and thanked him for his performance. The crowed positively roared in appreciation. Later during the jazz festival that same young man was given a saxophone to take back home with him, by none other than Wynton Marsalis, who also performed.

Sadly, Lionel Hampton passed away on August 31, 2002, but the school of music in Moscow that carries his name is still going strong. If you ever get a chance to attend the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival you definitely should, it's a wonderful experience. If you're not familiar with the King of the Vibes this LP is an excellent place to start - recommended.