Lionel Hampton And His Orchestra - Flying Home (2020) [Hi-Res]

By the time Lionel Hampton started playing the vibraphone in the late 1920s he already had the reputation as being one of the fastest drummers in the world. He became famous for his appearances with the Benny Goodman Quartet, one of the most important bands of the swing-era and went on to become among the great names in jazz history.

"Flying Home" is a jazz and jump blues composition written by Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton with lyrics by Sid Robin. It was reportedly developed around a tune Hampton whistled as he nervously waited for his first flight on an aircraft.

It was first recorded by the Benny Goodman Sextet on November 6, 1939, featuring solos by Hampton and Charlie Christian. Several other groups recorded the tune. In 1942, Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra recorded the song with a tenor saxophone solo by nineteen-year-old Illinois Jacquet. The song became the climax for live shows, and Jacquet was exhausted from having to play it every night. Singer Chris Connor recorded the song for Atlantic Records and released it as a single in 1959. Harry James recorded a version in 1965 on his album New Versions of Down Beat Favorites (MGM).

Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra

Digitally remastered