He has been called the grandfather of the jam band scene for his seminal role in the developing genre. Numerous well-regarded musicians including members of Phish, Blues Traveler, and R.E.M. consider him a musical mentor.
The appearance of Hampton, who usually appends his musical nickname with “retired,” is a coup of sorts for the Young Leadership Council. The group that puts on the Wednesdays at the Square series tends to stick with local talent. Local singer/songwriter Andrew Duhon opens.
Hampton has been playing music since the late 1960s when he founded the Hampton Grease Band. Since then he has fronted numerous outfits including the Code Talkers and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, which featured Jimmy Herring, Oteil Burbridge and drummer Jeff Sipe. He is a favorite a music festivals across the country including the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and Jam Cruise.
Hampton’s cult fame was amplified this past year, when a documentary about his life and career called Basically Frightened: the Musical Madness of Col. Bruce Hampton was released. The film features such luminaries at Chuck Leavell, Billy Bob Thorton, Dave Matthews, and Derek Trucks waxing philosophically about his musical genius.
