Did you know that Jazz icon Lionel Hampton was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha? Hampton pledged the Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Lionel Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, and percussionist. He had a long career in the music industry with notable collaborations such as Teddy Wilson Benny Goodman Buddy Rich Charlie Parker Charles Mingus Quincy Jones and many more. In 1992 he became inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame; in 1996 he received the National Medal of Arts.
Lionel had an extremely impactful career. He always performed at a consistently high level. If you want to know what type of person Hampton was, we posted a list of his honors below for you to check out!
2021 – Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumous)
2001 – Harlem Jazz and Music Festival’s Legend Award
1996 – International Jazz Hall of Fame Induction and Award (performed “Flying Home” with Illinois Jacquet and the Count Basie Orchestra)
1996 – National Medal of Arts presented by President Bill Clinton
1995 – Honorary Commissioner of Civil Rights by George Pataki
1995 – Honorary Doctorate from the New England Conservatory of Music
1993 – Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
1992 – Inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
1992 – “Contributions To The Cultural Life of the Nation” award from John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
1988 – The National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship
1988 – The National Association of Jazz Educators Hall of Fame Award
1987 – Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from the University of Idaho – UI’s School of Music renamed “Lionel Hampton School of Music”
1987 – The Roy Wilkins Memorial Award from the NAACP
1986 – The “One of a Kind” Award from Broadcast Music, Inc.
1984 – Jazz Hall of Fame Award from the Institute of Jazz Studies
1984 – Honorary Doctorate of Music from USC
1983 – The International Film and Television Festival of New York City Award
1983 – Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the State University of New York
1982 – Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
1981 – Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Glassboro State College
1979 – Honorary Doctorate of Music from Howard University
1978 – Bronze Medallion from New York City
1976 – Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Daniel Hale Williams University
1975 – Honorary Doctorate of Music from Xavier University of Louisiana
1974 – Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Pepperdine University
1968 – Papal Medal from Pope Paul VI
1966 – Handel Medallion
1957 – American Goodwill Ambassador by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
1954 – Israel’s Statehood Award
Share this article with your network and let them know about this interesting fact about Alpha Phi Alpha.