D.C. Jazz Band Leader Charlie Hampton, 75, Dies

He later graduated from the old Modern School of Music in Washington and played in an Army band from 1953 to 1957. While in the Army, he studied at the Mozart Conservatory in Salzburg, Austria, and learned to do orchestrations.

After the Howard Theater stopped presenting live music in 1970, Mr. Hampton began a long career as a music teacher at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, a maximum-security psychiatric hospital in Jessup. He staged monthly talent contests for his students, who were escorted to his class by armed guards, and planned the music for Sunday church services at the hospital, often performing himself.

Although he appeared most often as a pianist in local clubs, Mr. Hampton considered the alto saxophone his primary instrument. He modeled his style after that of bebop pioneer Charlie "Bird" Parker, whom he resembled.

"Charlie Hampton was the spitting image of Charlie Parker," said Novosel, who first worked with Mr. Hampton in 1962. "He could have been his twin brother. He played the saxophone like an angel, and some guys even called him 'Bird.' "

Over the years, he appeared at the White House, twice led concerts at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and was a fixture at the Blues Alley, Twins and One Step Down jazz clubs. He continued to perform until December 2001.

Mr. Hampton lived in Northeast Washington before moving to his sister's home in Riverdale in the past couple of years. His marriage to Shirley Harris ended in divorce.

Survivors include two children, Ronald Lamont Hampton of Riverdale and Beverly Crowder of Washington; two sisters, Virginia Joy Williams of Laurel and Mildred Ann Ellis of Glenn Dale; a brother, William Henry Hampton of Greenville; and five grandchildren.

Some of his fellow musicians said they believe Mr. Hampton would have been recognized as one of the top saxophonists of his time had he settled in the jazz capital, New York.

"If Charlie had gone on, he would have been right at the top," singer Dick Smith said. "He was a great musician."