Now, a Jazz Moment...

Slide Hampton: If you don't know how to improvise, you're gonna find yourself in a lot of stressful situations that you can't come up with an answer for.

NEA Jazz Master, Slide Hampton.

Improvisation has always been important because it's always important in life.

MUSIC: "Bebop" (start warm above) CD: Dedicated to Diz Telarc CD-83323 (cut 4)

Slide Hampton: Improvisation is what Louis Armstrong and those guys showed people it can be a very sophisticated thing. It can be a very healthy thing. And it helps a person to grow to the greatest level of whatever they're trying to achieve. And this is what jazz is about, teaching people this.

MUSIC: same - up and fades under

This Jazz Moment with Trombonist Slide Hampton was created by the National Endowment for the Arts.