“ The purpose of Jazz is to help people realize their self worth and individuality.”  -- Slide Hampton, August 1998   As a master trombonist, composer, arranger and teacher, Slide Hampton is a formidable champion of the jazz tradition and an innovative herald of jazz evolution. Through countless collaborations with the most prominent musicians of this century, along with his tireless mission to bring jazz to audiences around the world, he has graciously assumed the responsibility of being the international ambassador of American classical music. By taking on this role, he has embraced listeners from all backgrounds with his philosophy of Inclusion. His colleagues awarded him the 1998 Grammy Award for “Best Jazz Arrangement with a Vocalist,” which is an extraordinary honor; but for Slide, reaching the hearts and challenging the minds of his students, peers and listeners is the coveted trophy.

In 1944, when he was twelve years old, Slide joined Hampton Band.  Led by his father, Slide immediately relished the challenge of the precision required for what is one of the most physically demanding instruments: the trombone.  This was the last era before television, and the importance of live music and its contribution to the fabric of society is now beyond the comprehension of most young people.  Slide’s early music education at the Sunset Terrace glowed with an intensity difficult to match in today’s media saturated environment.  Growing up in Indianapolis and touring in the Midwest with his performing family, he encountered music up close and personal from the likes of J.J. Johnson and Wes Montgomery, stars who were among his first influences.

At the age of twenty, Slide performed in Carnegie Hall with the Hampton Band.  He soon branched out to work with bands led by luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakely, Max Roach, Barry Harris, Maynard Ferguson, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. Slide also composed and arranged music for them, thus contributing to their repertoires. In 1962 he formed the Slide Hampton Octet, with Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard and George Coleman. They toured in the U.S. and Europe and recorded on several labels. From 1964-1967, Slide was the music director for various orchestras and artists. Following a 1968 European tour with Woody Herman, Slide took up residence in Europe where he teamed up with other expatriates like Kenny Clarke, Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew and Benny Bailey, and performed in festivals, clubs, television and radio.

            When Slide returned to the U.S. in 1977, he began a series of Master Classes convening in prestigious institutions such as Harvard, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, DuPaul and Indiana University. His goal was not only to inspire students enough to bring their deepest selves to their vocation, but also to guide them in discovering the freedom earned through concentrated discipline.  He demanded his students become fluent in general musicology and jazz history in particular, and hoped that his students set their goals to surpass Slide’s own expertise.  Due to his mastery of the science of jazz, Hampton’s reputation as being a music clinician is unsurpassed and the jazz community has consistently drawn on his expertise. Slide Hampton and his World of Trombones, comprised of nine trombones and a rhythm section, performed and recorded to great critical acclaim. In 1989, along with Paquito D’Rivera, Slide was the Musical Director of Dizzy Gillespie’s Diamond Jubilee.   The Jubilee was a yearlong series of celebrations honoring the Grand Master’s 75th birthday.  Slide famously observed: “Music inspires Music.” So does devotion and leadership. He is a charismatic man who sets the example by respecting the contributions of others and embodying dedicated professionalism. Slide Hampton elicits the best that people have to offer by never settling for less than the best in himself. He hopes his work occasions happiness and supports unity of purpose in our diverse global community.