Slide Hampton, born Locksley Wellington Hampton on April 21, 1932, in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, was an American jazz trombonist, composer, and arranger renowned for his contributions to the jazz genre. Raised in a musically gifted family, Hampton began his career at the young age of 12, touring with the family band led by his father. By 1952, he was performing at Carnegie Hall with the Lionel Hampton Band. His career spanned nearly eight decades, during which he played with prominent bands and musicians such as Maynard Ferguson, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, and Max Roach.

Hampton was known for his unique left-handed trombone playing and his exceptional skills as an arranger and composer. He formed the Slide Hampton Octet in 1962 and later led the World of Trombones ensemble. His work earned him two Grammy Awards for his arrangements, and he was recognized as an NEA Jazz Master in 2005. Hampton also contributed to jazz education, teaching at institutions like Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Slide Hampton passed away on November 18, 2021, in Orange, New Jersey, leaving behind a legacy as a masterful trombonist and a revered figure in jazz history.