On April 20, 1909, Lionel Hampton was born in Louisville, Kentucky. A virtuoso vibraphonist, drummer, pianist, and bandleader, Hampton became one of the first African American musicians to perform with a white band when he joined Benny Goodman in the 1930s. He later formed his own influential big band and helped launch the careers of notable artists like Quincy Jones and Charles Mingus. Known for his electrifying energy and showmanship, Hampton was instrumental in bringing the vibraphone to prominence in jazz music and breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry.
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