27 Quotes by Lionel Hampton

Playing is my way of thinking, talking, communicating.

I feel honored to have been a part of that dramatic change.

So I always figured I'd still be playing at this age.

Working with Benny was important for me and for black musicians in general.

Louis asked me do I know anything the instrument, and what was it, and I explained it to him. So he said, 'Could you play something on it?' I said, 'Sure,' you know.

That was a big deal at the time, because no blacks were integrated with whites in anything - not in sports, basketball, football, nothing.

It was the first time black and white ever played together and at that time there were no blacks and whites associating together.

Chicago was jazzy, man, jazzy - they had all the great jazz men.

I always figured I'd still be playing at this age.