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Marcus A. Hampton was a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, a city known for producing prolific jazz musicians.
ARC recording artist, Jazz musician, and composer, MARCUS HAMPTON (1941-2021), who is a relative of Lionel Hampton and Locksley (Slide) Hampton, about his memories of his family – the musical Hampton Family of Indianapolis. He served as a member of our nonprofit Advisory Council Board of Directors.
Marcus Hampton was our good personal friend of over forty years and a military career veteran who honorably retired after 21 years of active duty service with the Army’s Music Program.
He also served in the Special Band which was once located at Fort Monroe, Virginia, performed at Walt Disney World in Florida, and even operated his own jazz club before relocating to the KC area. *
Burnett Music maintains this website of our friend for historical purposes only.
FAMILY HISTORY
The sibling generation of Hampton’s father were all very prolific musicians.
Some key members of the Duke Hampton Family Orchestra were:
His uncle “Duke” Hampton was named after his father Clark.
His uncle “Lucky” Hampton, whose given name was Russell, played tenor sax.
His father Marcus Hampton, Sr. also played the trumpet.
His uncle Maceo Hampton was a well-known trumpet player in his day.
His uncle Locksley “Slide” Hampton, is an NEA Jazz Master, a noted trombone player, and a composer.
His aunts, the sisters: Virtue Hampton, Aletra Hampton, and Carmalita Hampton performed with the band but also formed a trio.
The Hampton family played together and toured as a working band.
And, when the men were drafted into the service during World War II, the sisters continued performing and began singing together.
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MILITARY BANDS CAREER
Hampton served a full 21-year career as an active duty Regular Army professional musician, serving in band organizations in Germany and the United States.
Hampton served as a staff arranger and jazz soloist throughout his career, culminating as a Special Bandsman assigned with The United States Continental Army Band (TUSCAB) at the US Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) that was stationed on historic Fort Monroe, Virginia.