George Wallington/Hampton

[Peter Friedman]

The booklet notes on Lionel Hampton's Paris All Stars ( Vogue 74321511502) indicate that George Wallington was the piano player on Lionel Hampton's 1953 European Tour. The notes say that Wallington "abandoned the Hampton crew on it's passage through Brussels". Claude Bolling who replaced Wallington is the piano player on

this Vogue recording.

Is anyone aware of the story behind this situation?

[brownie]

The events that led to Wallington's departure from the Hampton tour are detailed in Noal Cohen and Michael Fitzgerald invaluable book on Gigi Gryce 'Rat Race Blues'.

To sum up Wallington and singer Annie Ross ran into trouble with Lionel Hampton (and wife Gladys) when they took part in record sessions in Stockholm at the beginning of the tour. Annie Ross was fired before the tour reached Paris and Wallington 'left in a show of support'.

[paul secor]

The booklet notes on Lionel Hampton's Paris All Stars ( Vogue 74321511502) indicate that George Wallington was the piano player on Lionel Hampton's 1953 European Tour. The notes say that Wallington "abandoned the Hampton crew on it's passage through Brussels". Claude Bolling who replaced Wallington is the piano player on

this Vogue recording.

Is anyone aware of the story behind this situation?

According to Nick Catalano's Clifford Brown biography - not a very good book, imo, so take this for what it's worth - Annie Ross and Wallington, two caucasion members in a primarily black band were taking some flack from critics who felt that only black musicians could play jazz. Art Farmer is quoted as a source for this information. Hughes Panassie supposedly pressured Hampton to fire Ross before the band reached Paris. Hampton's wife Gladys did so. According to Farmer, George Wallington's wife was Annie Ross' manager at the time and Wallington quit as a show of unity.

As I say, the Nick Catalano bio is the source for this information, so I don't know how reliable it is.

edit - brownie's post wasn't there when I wrote my post. Catalano also makes mention of the Stockholm sessions and quotes Ross saying that she was friendly with the bebop contingent in the band which didn't make Lionel Hampton happy.

Edited June 4, 2010 by paul secor

[Peter Friedman]

Brownie and Paul,

Thanks for the input. Believe it or not, I read the Gigi Gryce book, but had forgotten about the Wallington / Annie Ross episode until you responded to my question.

[Victor Christensen]

Gladys could have fired most of the band. I was at jamsession after their concert here in Copenhagen(I was 17 years old) and Hamp and Cladys did not know about it. All the young boys were there(the bebop guys), it was amazing, Clifford Brown and Art Farmer played the shirts of of the local boys.

I came home at 6 in the morning, was grounded for a week by my father. Christien was there too, have recorded some of it, I shall never forget it.

What a band Hamp had at that time, and they were never allowed anything, it was just Hamp doing the usual show, what a pity.

Vic

[bertrand]

Was Gryce there as well?

Definitely worth being grounded for a week.

Bertrand.