A friend was kind enough to share some photos with me of the saxophone sections of various versions of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra from the 1980′s when I was a member.  I first joined the Lionel Hampton Big Band in 1982 when I had just graduated from Rutgers University.  I started playing 2nd Alto in the section and later played lead Alto sax.  Years later when I returned for a tour in 1993, I played Tenor Saxophone.  It was a lot of fun and some long tours filled with one-nighters all over Europe, South America and the United States.

Lionel Hampton Orchestra - Disneyland 1984

Below is another photo of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra when we were doing a gig for the Republican Convention.

Adam Brenner with The Lionel Hampton Big Band

Below is a photo of members of the Lionel Hampton Big Band on the road with one of the greatest saxophonists of all time, James Moody.  We would often run into Moody on the road at various Jazz Festivals and he is one of the most incredibly warm and beautiful people I have ever known.  He is also an incredible artist and one of my favorite saxophonists.

Adam Brenner And Friends With James Moody

Below is a photo of Hamp singing and doing his thing.  I was playing lead alto sax at this time in 1985 or possibly 1986.  The other guys in the band from left to right are Doug Miller – Tenor Sax, Keith Fiddmonth – Alto Sax, Adam Brenner – Alto Sax, Jerry Weldon – Tenor Sax and David Schumacher – Baritone Sax.  They are all excellent saxophone players.

Lionel Hampton Band 1986

Below is a photo of some of the members of Lionel Hampton’s Big Band with the legendary bassist Ray Brown.

Backstage With The Great Ray Brown

Below is a photo of some of my best friends and fellow members of Lionel Hampton’s Band with James Moody in Nice, France at the Grande Parade Du Jazz.

Hangin' Out With Moody Once Again!