USA: BILL CLINTON PLAYS SAXOPHONE AT WHITE HOUSE PARTY

(24 Jul 1998) English/Nat

U-S President Bill Clinton took to the stage at a White House Party on Thursday night - but this time it was music and not politics that he was his message.

The leader picked up the saxophone in front of around 250 guests to celebrate the 90th birthday of the great jazz musician Lionel Hampton.

And the President's choice of tune was 'My Funny Valentine'

A special concert was held at the White House in Washington on Thursday to honour the birthday of 90-year-old jazz great Lionel Hampton.

Among the 250 guests was First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton who got the idea for bash during her trip with the President to Africa earlier his year.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The President and I are honoured to join all of you in wishing Lionel Hampton a very happy 90th birthday."
SUPER CAPTION: First Lady Hillary Clinton

The First Lady also praised Hampton for helping bring down racial barriers from the time he joined Benny Goodman's band in the 1930s and for promoting jazz - the music of democracy .

The guest of honour then encouraged U-S President Bill Clinton to take to the stage.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"You know we have one of the greatest saxophone players in the business and you know and I would like to hear you (the president) and I would like to hear you play the saxophone. "
SUPER CAPTION: Lionel Hampton

The President obliged by blowing a soulful version of 'My Funny Valentine.'

A few moments later he was joined by Hampton's 10-piece orchestra.

UPSOUND: music

Two years ago, Hampton set aside more than 50 years of supporting Republicans - saying they'd moved too far to the right - and decided to endorse Clinton.

The following January, Clinton presented the musician with a National Medal of the Arts at a White House ceremony - just two days after a fire had swept through Hampton's Manhattan apartment.

Clinton noted that Hampton has played for every president since Harry Truman, saying he revolutionised jazz music forever.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's been a long time since he joined Louis Armstrong and gave him a hit song and revolutionised jazz music forever. I was telling Hillary when Hampton was up there playing and singing, you know my ears are gone, and I can't even hear the pitch anymore, and there he is hitting the pitch."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton

Hampton's birthday was actually in April but his busy schedule meant the celebrations were somewhat delayed.

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