History

One of the most high-profile bands of its day, Lionel Hampton’s orchestra broke new musical ground and helped pioneer rhythm and blues (R&B). Hampton founded his big band in 1940 after leaving Benny Goodman’s band. Though Hampton’s existing stardom gave the band immediate good favor in the jazz world, the band’s prominence reached new heights with their 1942 recording of “Flying Home.” The recording featured an electrifying tenor solo from Illinois Jacquet, and many consider the record one of the first R&B recordings. “Flying Home” became an anthem for Hampton and Jacquet, the both would continue performing it throughout their careers. R&B also became a more central part of the Hampton band’s sound, and later iterations of the group included figures like Charles Mingus, Wes Montgomery, and Johnny Griffin.