He was called the “King of the Vibes,”“The Vibes President,”“Boss of the Backbeat” the original “Mister Excitement” and the artist who set the stage for something that was called “rock and roll.”

“LIONEL HAMPTON: Jazz Legend” presents the music and the life of the man who virtually invented the vibraphone as a jazz instrument, in an astounding career that spanned 73 years. This DVD, the first such project ever solely devoted to Hamp, presents vintage film clips and rare photographs from the 1930s through the 1990s, combined with incisive commentary from contemporary mallet master Mike Mainieri; and award-winning percussionist Steve Smith.

Joining Lionel Hampton throughout this singular musical journey are a number of other jazz legends, including Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Milt Buckner, Betty Carter and dozens of other jazz stars.