Hampton began his musical career at the age of 12, joining his father's band in 1994 when the band needed a trombone player. "It was probably fate," Hampton once observed, "I probably would have chosen another instrument, but I'm glad I didn't." He immediately relished the challenge of precision required for the physically demanding instrument.

 Touring the with his family, he encountered up close such luminaries as trombonist J.J. Johnson and guitarist Wes Montgomery. 

After performing in Carnegie Hall with the Hampton Band, Hampton branched out to work with bands led by Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Maynard Ferguson, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. He also composed and arranged for each of these bands, contributing to their repertoire.

In 1962, he formed the Slide Hampton Octet, which included Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard and George Coleman. The group toured extensively, particularly in Europe, and recorded on several labels including Atlantic and Columbia. From 1964-1967, Hampton served as musical director for various orchestras and artists, at the same time constantly studying to improve his own musicianship.

Following a European tour with Woody Herman, Hampton remained abroad in 1968, deciding that work and growth opportunities for jazz musicians were then greater on the continent. There he performed at major festivals and in clubs, appearing with other American musicians living in Europe -- Kenny Clarke, Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew and Benny Bailey, among others -- and worked on a variety of radio and television projects.

Hampton returned to the United States in 1977 where he resumed work writing, arranging, performing and teaching. The explosive "Slide Hampton and His World of Trombones" featuring nine trombones and a rhythm section was regrettably short-lived despite critically acclaimed recordings and performances. He continued to work with quartets, quintets and as a soloist, and began to spend increasing time as a teacher.

In 1988, Hampton became a founding member, feature artist and, in 1989, musical director (with Paquito D'Rivera) of Dizzy Gillespie's Grammy-award winning United Nation Orchestra.