It started as a show in their Seminole Heights back yard six years ago.
Marcus Hampton would play his trumpet on stage with other local musicians while wife, Rose, would serve up food for a diverse audience with an unyielding love for jazz.
Like any good jazz artist, they improvised and moved to a converted warehouse in Drew Park as their blend of comfort food and soulful music grew in prominence.
Now Marcus and Rose Hampton and their Hampton House of Jazz are going big time. They hope to open a true jazz club and restaurant at the former Lions Den at 1113 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. Tampa's loss is St. Pete's gain, but the Hampton House of Jazz was never about provincialism.
Even in the earliest days, it always attracted jazz enthusiasts from throughout the bay area. Fans call it a local treasure.
The warehouse always was something to behold when the Hamptons opened it to the public, usually on the last Sunday of each month. Artists would step forward to join jam sessions, Rose's good food was served and kids would watch movies in a back room.
The family affairs drew folks from all walks of life, but the warehouse had one major drawback: no air conditioning in the summer and no heat in the winter.
So the Hamptons decided it was time to step up their efforts or step off the stage. They wanted to take the earthy feel of the house of jazz to a wider audience.
Tampa attorney Daniel Harris offered his services. Naturally, Marcus knew him only as the guitarist in a local band, the Hamilton Harris Project. Harris' biggest fan is his mother, Sheila, who is a real estate agent. She scouted for a new place for the jazz house.
The association led to a connection between the Hamptons and John Warren, who owns several properties along Central Avenue. Warren caught the flavor of Hampton House and immediately knew it could help reshape downtown St. Pete.
"This would not have happened without John Warren," Harris said. "To say that he bent over backwards to give them as good a start as possible is an understatement. He made concessions that were just above and beyond."
The Hamptons have targeted Halloween as an opening date, but are still working on renovations. The restaurant will open Wednesday through Sunday at 4 p.m. Younger musicians will be invited to perform in jam sessions on Wednesdays, while more veteran performers will step up on Thursdays.
The rest of the days will feature special local and national groups, and Rose will offer a special menu every day.
"We think it's going to be a wonderful thing for members of the club and new people as well," Marcus Hampton said. Said Harris: "This is a dream for the two of them. Their wealth is in their heart and soul and by Job, they're going to make it happen."
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For the second year in a row, a member of the Times sports department has been named Big Brother of the Year by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. Pete Young, who covers USF sports, received the honor Thursday night at a volunteer appreciation dinner in the A La Carte Pavilion. He follows former Times NFL writer and columnist Darrell Fry, who was honored in 2002.
Young was cited for his work with David Adkins, 13, a seventh-grader at Farnell Middle School, who suffers from cerebral palsy.
"I've learned more from David than he'll ever learn from me," Young said. "I'm very proud to be a part of this organization."
It's a nice coincidence for two of our own to be honored, but don't think it's the result of a company-mandated initiative. As best as I can tell, it's big hearts motivating these Big Brothers.
