AllMovie

This program features a performance by jazz great Lionel Hampton, along with some of his famous musical colleagues. Lionel Hampton was the first musician to use the vibraphone -- the vibes -- as a jazz instrument. A member of Benny Goodman's jazz quartet in the 1030's, Hampton formed his own big band in the 40's. He has been changing with the musical times ever since, still performing, in solo or small groups. Hampton appears here with swinging drummer Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, songbird Johnny Mercer, blues giant B.B. King, as well as pop artists Dusty Springfield and Ocean. Hosted by the late Mel Torme, the video includes renditions of jazz classics, like "How High the Moon", and "Sing, Sing, Sing"; contemporary jazz and blues; and pop favorites including the Ocean hit,"Put Your Hand in the Hand". Hampton, the luminous king of the vibes, proves that his title is well deserved.