Music Monday - Lionel Hampton

Things are sort of dull around the Music Monday composing room, so for the next few weeks the cracked editorial staff has decided on a new feature for the day:

The artwork of David Stone Martin on record covers.

One exciting work of art (called Illustration by some) will be presented here each week until they run out. Most scans are from the editor's personal library and the original copyrights apply.

They are presented here for admiration and educational purposes only.

Wednesday August 31, in 2002 we lost Lionel Hampton.

Hampton was one of the most respected figures in Jazz.

David Stone Martin did at least four jacket designs for his albums.

From WIKI: Something you didn't know:

Hampton was a staunch Republican and served as a delegate to several Republican National Conventions.

He served as Vice-Chairman of the New York Republican County Committee for some years and also was a member of the New York City Human Rights Commission. Hampton donated almost $300,000 to Republican campaigns and committees throughout his lifetime.

Compare the one on the left from David Stone Martin with the one on the right from Burt Goldblatt. The two artists seem to have seen some of the same things in Hampton.