Hampton was born on 20th April 1908 in Louisville, Kentucky, but moved to Chicago as a child, where he began his career as a drummer. He relocated to Los Angeles to play drums in Les Hite's band. They soon became the house band for Frank Sebastian's New Cotton Club, a popular L.A. jazz club.
During a 1930 recording date in the NBC studios in L.A., Louis Armstrong discovered a vibraphone. He asked Hampton if he could play it. Hampton, who knew how to play the xylophone, tried it and they agreed to record a few records with Hamp on vibes. Hampton is credited with popularizing the vibraphone as a jazz instrument.
In the mid-1930s, the Benny Goodman Orchestra came to Los Angeles to play the Palomar Ballroom. John Hammond brought Goodman to see Hampton play. Goodman asked Hampton to move to New York City and join Goodman, Teddy Wilson, and Gene Krupa who'd already formed a Benny Goodman Trio within the large band - to expand into the Benny Goodman Quartet. The Trio and Quartet were among the first racially integrated bands to record and play before wide audiences; they were just as well received at Goodman's famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert as was the full Goodman band.
While Hampton worked for Goodman in New York, he recorded with several different small groups known as the Lionel Hampton Orchestra as well as assorted small groups within the Goodman band. In the early 40s he left the Goodman organization to form his own touring band.
Hampton's band fostered the talents of Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon, Ernie Royal, Jack McVea, Charlie Mingus, Monk Montgomery, Wes Montgomery, Quincy Jones, Benny Golson, Fats Navarro, Kenny Dorham, Clifford Brown, Dinah Washington, Betty Carter, Joe Williams, Arnett Cobb, Earl Bostic, and John Colianni among many others.
Hampton's recording of "Flying Home" (1939) with the famous honking tenor sax solo by Jacquet, later refined and expanded by Cobb (1946), is considered by some to be the first rock and roll record. He was known for his tireless energy and his skill on the vibes, drums, and lightning speed two-fingered piano. The bars on the vibraphone are laid out like the piano; Hampton played both instruments the same way.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Hampton and his band started playing at the University of Idaho's jazz concert, which in 1985 was renamed the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. In 1987 the University's music college was renamed the Lionel Hampton School of Music, the first and only university music college to be named after a jazz musician.
Lionel Hampton died of cardiac arrest at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York on 31st August 2002. He was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York.
I Know That You Know
Lionel Hampton Lyrics
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Long before the Springtime is due?
And even though it's snowing, violets are growing
I know why and so do you
Why do breezes sigh every evening whispering your name as they do?
And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling?
I know why and so do you
When you smile at me I hear gypsy violins
I can see the sun when it's raining, hiding every cloud from my view
And why do I see rainbows when you're in my arms?
I know why and so do you
Why do robins sing in December
Long before the springtime is due?
And even though it's snowing, violets are growing
I know why and so do you
Why do breezes sigh every evening whispering your name as they do?
And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling?
I know why and so do you
When you smile at me I hear gypsy violins
When you dance with me, I'm in heaven when the music begins
I can see the sun when it's raining, hiding every cloud from my view
And why do I see rainbows when you're in my arms?
I know why and so do you
The opening lines of the song "Why do robins sing in December, long before the springtime is due?" suggests a sense of wonder and amazement at the presence of beauty despite the cold and dark season of winter. The second line of the opening stanza, "And even though it's snowing, violets are growing", reinforces this idea that nature has its own way of flourishing despite the dreary weather. The repetition of the phrase "I know why and so do you" is somewhat enigmatic and could suggest that the reasons for these phenomena may be mysterious but the singer and the listener, however, are aware of them.
The second half of the lyrics romanticize the singer's relationship with the person they are addressing. The chorus lyrics, "When you smile at me, I hear gypsy violins / When you dance with me, I'm in heaven when the music begins / I can see the sun when it's raining, hiding every cloud from my view / And why do I see rainbows when you're in my arms? / I know why and so do you," convey the intense emotion and euphoria the singer feels when they are with this person. The mention of gypsy violins and rainbows suggests an otherworldly, almost magical, experience that is evoked by the presence of their lover.
Overall, Lionel Hampton's "I Know That You Know" is a beautifully romantic journey through the emotions of the singer. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the natural cycles of the world, as well as the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do robins sing in December
Why do unexpected things happen that defy conventional wisdom?
Long before the Springtime is due?
Why do things happen out of their regular time frame?
And even though it's snowing, violets are growing
Why do things continue to happen despite unfavorable circumstances?
I know why and so do you
We are aware of the reasons behind these inexplicable occurrences.
Why do breezes sigh every evening whispering your name as they do?
Why does the wind seem to carry your name every night?
And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling?
Why does it feel like the stars are shining upon me?
When you smile at me I hear gypsy violins
Your smile brings joy and a sense of romance.
When you dance with me, I'm in heaven when the music begins
Dancing with you is a heavenly experience that fills me with euphoria.
I can see the sun when it's raining, hiding every cloud from my view
Your presence brings clarity and positivity even on the gloomiest day.
And why do I see rainbows when you're in my arms?
Being near you fills me with feelings of hope and enchantment.
I know why and so do you
We both understand the reasons behind these magical feelings that we share.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MACK GORDON, HARRY WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind