SLIDE HAMPTON (trombonist, bandleader, composer, arranger) was born Locksley Wellington Hampton on April 21, 1932 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Raised in a musical family, the Grammy winning artist began touring as a 12 year old and later performed with Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie and others forming the Slide Hampton Octet in 1962 which featured Freddie Hubbard . After a brief period in Europe performing with expatriates such as Dexter Gordon, Kenny Clarke and Art Farmer he returned to the U.S. in 1977, conducting master classes at several universities and forming the celebrated World of Trombones ensemble. Hampton was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2005.