Dominic Massa / Eyewitness News
Edwin Hampton, the founding director of the most popular school marching band in New Orleans, the St. Augustine Marching 100, died Tuesday after a lengthy illness. During Mr. Hampton’s tenure, the band played in countless Carnival parades, the Rose parade and even for Pope John Paul II during his visit to New Orleans in 1987.
In 1952, Hampton came to New Orleans from Texas, to take a job at St. Augustine, the all-boys’ high school in the Seventh Ward that has educated generations of young men since it opened a half-century ago. Hampton joined the faculty the second year of the school’s existence.
Former students remember Mr. Hampton fostering a love for music of all styles, including jazz, during his work with them.
The St. Augustine Purple Knights of the Marching 100, though their membership ranks often swelled or dipped above or below that number, became an icon in New Orleans Carnival parades and even traveled to Pasadena, California for a memorable appearance in the 2002 Tournament of Roses parade. That marked the first time a New Orleans school band had ever appeared in the parade. The band also made appearances in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York and played during five Super Bowls. One of the band’s most recent appearances was at the close of the Essence Festival in the Louisiana Superdome when, at the end of headliner Frankie Beverly’s performance, the band marched onto the stage.
Hampton explained in a 2008 interview with WWL-TV’s Eric Paulsen that St. Augustine had no marching band before he joined the staff. While the membership ranks initially were not near 100, Hampton said the band’s name was coined simply because “That’s what we wanted to be.”
“St. Augustine was all boys, and I wasn’t familiar with that format,” Hampton said. “I came up in Texas and I had never seen a band with all males. That’s how we got on the military thing, with it being boys.”
The band’s military precision became legendary, enhanced by Hampton’s own research.
“I once asked him how he learned all those marching steps,” said St. Aug graduate Ray Heissier in a 2008 interview. “He told me he got the information from an ex-Marine, who after his career taught marching steps, and Mr. Hampton would go to a workshop in the summer and learn this.”
Students credit Mr. Hampton for pioneering the band's signature show-band style, mixing music with athletic performances and a signature style. Band alumni would swell with pride whenever the band marched through the streets – a similar feeling for their band director, according to a 2001 interview with The Times-Picayune.
"I get a thrill just like other people do," said Hampton. "It's a dream."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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When I heard the news, I thought it was a rumor. I guess I subconciously looked at MR. HAMP as immortal--thinking that he would never die. But even in the midst of his passing, his legacy will live on for ever in New Orleans. RIP MR HAMPTON and I'll see you when I get there.
When I heard the news, I thought it was a rumor. I guess I subconciously looked at MR. HAMP as immortal--thinking that he would never die. But even in the midst of his passing, his legacy will live on for ever in New Orleans. RIP MR HAMPTON and I'll see you when I get there.
I initially thought it was a rumor myself. I had to call to school to verify. A lot of that was not wanting to believe it was true. We have truly lost a Giant in the Band Community.
The Legendary Edwin Hampton - Former Director of Bands at St. Augustine High School passes
Dominic Massa / Eyewitness News
Edwin Hampton, the founding director of the most popular school marching band in New Orleans, the St. Augustine Marc…
Replies
I initially thought it was a rumor myself. I had to call to school to verify. A lot of that was not wanting to believe it was true. We have truly lost a Giant in the Band Community.
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