Alan Hampton is very busy. He’s often on the road playing bass and singing with Andrew Bird and Meshell N’Degeocello and Gretchen Parlato. Or he may be in the studio laying tracks for Sufjan Stephens, Luke Temple and Derrick Hodge or Kendrick Scott. Hampton has been creating his own sound over the years, even while he was on tour. Hampton’s debut album, The Moving Sidewalk, was released in 2011. The New York Times called him a musician with “loads and talent.” His second album, Origami for the Fire is due to be released on November 4, 2014. “Before touring started, I went with Bill Campbell (drums), and Pete Rende [keyboards] to a studio upstate New York. There, I brought a lot of songs and left with some basic tracks. Then came the tour and I snuck into sessions wherever and whenever I could in London, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Hampton started his musical career in Houston as a jazz bassist. He was invited to the prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. Then he moved on to the New School in New York City. Finally, Hampton was offered a spot at the Thelonious Monk Institute, Los Angeles. There he studied with jazz Ron Carter, Charlie Haden and John Clayton, and performed with Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchar, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, Terence Blanchard, Terence Blanchard, and played in Los Angeles with Hancock, Terence Blanchard, and were a lot with the New Orleans, Hampton recalls that it was an incredible experience to play music with these legends. But Hampton wasn’t done. Bandleaders started to notice Hampton’s voice after he returned from NYC. “Clare and The Reasons and Gretchen Parlato had us singing background songs at their gigs. Unexpectedly, many people who had called me to be a bass player started calling me to perform on their records. It gave me the courage to sing my own songs.” Hampton’s proficiency in many musical genres is evident throughout Origami for the Fire. Hampton’s vocals are in the upper register and Hampton uses a Hammond Organ to create a track that recalls a classic soul record. The track is followed by “Leaf”, a fast-paced two-stepper-turned-surfrock by Ryan Scott’s unique baritone guitarist performance. “Lie In It” combines Paul Simon’s casual delivery with the harmony of Jobim or Brian Wilson. Songs like “It’s You” or “Won’t” showcase Hampton’s jazz and R.
