Lionel Hampton—”Hot Mallets” (1939)

One of the 20th century’s great musical innovators was Kentuckian Lionel Hampton (1908-2002), a real master with the mallets. In 1939 he wrote a tune about the sticks he used to play the vibraphone, called “”Hot Mallets.” It turned out to be the first time on record the jazz world was introduced to bebop.

Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra: Lionel Hampton-vibraphone, directing Dizzy Gillespie-trumpet; Benny Carter-alto saxophone; Chu Berry, Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster-tenor saxophones; Clyde Hart-piano; Charlie Christian-rhythm guitar; Milt Hinton-double bass; and Cozy Cole-drums. Recorded for Victor in New York City on September 11, 1939.

Hampton looked back on this gathering of all star jazz musicians as “one of the best recording sessions.” He said that he did a lot of recording in 1939 “with all kinds of talented guys.” “When you’re playing with that kind of talent, you play at the top of your power.”

The bandleader heard young Gillespie only a few days before this Victor session. Hamp recalled he was sitting behind the stage at Harlem’s Apollo theater and ‘I heard this guy playing trumpet in a different style than I or anyone else had ever heard before ... and I said ‘Man I got to get this guy on my next recording session.’ “ In this vibraphone showcase “Hot Mallets” Gillespie began his boppish solo with paraphrasing “Cheek To Cheek.”