Milt Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Milt Jackson
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Jackson in New York, with bassist Ray Brown, c. 1947
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| Birth name | Milton Jackson |
| Born | January 1, 1923 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 9, 1999 (aged 76) New York, New York, U.S. |
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Milton Jackson (born January 1, 1923 – died October 9, 1999) was an amazing American jazz musician. People often called him "Bags." He was famous for playing the vibraphone, an instrument that looks a bit like a xylophone but has metal bars and spinning fans that make a cool, vibrating sound.
Milt Jackson is especially remembered for his smooth, swinging solos. He was a key member of the famous group called the Modern Jazz Quartet. He also loved playing with other jazz artists who played a style called hard bop. Milt Jackson was very good at making his vibraphone sound unique. He paid close attention to how the notes blended and how the rhythm felt. He especially enjoyed playing the twelve-bar blues at a slow, relaxed speed. Sometimes, Milt Jackson would also sing or play the piano.
Contents
Milt Jackson's Musical Journey
Early Life and Music
Milt Jackson was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 1, 1923. Like many musicians of his time, he grew up surrounded by music. He often heard music at religious meetings, which he said influenced his "funky" and soulful style.
He started playing the guitar when he was seven years old. At age 11, he began playing the piano. When he was in high school, he also played drums, timpani (large kettledrums), and violin. He even sang in the school choir! At 16, he sang professionally in a gospel group called the Evangelist Singers.
Milt Jackson started playing the vibraphone when he was 16. He was inspired after hearing another famous vibraphone player, Lionel Hampton, perform.
Joining Dizzy Gillespie
Milt Jackson was discovered by the legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. In 1945, Gillespie hired Jackson to play in his small group, a sextet. Later, Jackson joined Gillespie's larger big band. This gave Milt Jackson a chance to work with many important jazz figures. He played with musicians like Woody Herman, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker.
In Dizzy Gillespie's big band, Milt Jackson, along with pianist John Lewis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Kenny Clarke, often played together as a smaller group. This happened when the other musicians in the big band took breaks.
The Modern Jazz Quartet
Around 1950, Milt Jackson and his bandmates decided to form their own group. At first, they were called the Milt Jackson Quartet. In 1952, they changed their name to the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). By this time, Percy Heath had joined as the new bassist.
The MJQ was first known for Milt Jackson's blues-heavy improvisations. But over time, the group balanced Jackson's swinging style with John Lewis's more complex musical ideas. John Lewis became the group's musical director in 1955. The MJQ developed a unique "chamber jazz" style. This style combined Lewis's carefully crafted compositions with Jackson's lively and swinging solos.
The Modern Jazz Quartet had a very long and successful career. They played together for about 20 years until they took a break in 1974. However, they reunited in 1981 and continued to perform until 1993. After that, Milt Jackson toured on his own, playing with different small groups. He still agreed to occasional MJQ reunions.
Later Career and Legacy
In 1989, Milt Jackson received an honorary doctorate degree in music from the Berklee College of Music. This was a special award recognizing his contributions to music.
One of his most famous songs is "Bags' Groove." This song is a jazz standard, meaning it's a very well-known and often-played jazz tune. His nickname "Bags" came from a bass player in Detroit, referring to the "bags" under his eyes. Other famous songs he wrote include "The Late, Late Blues" and "Bluesology."
Milt Jackson passed away in New York on October 9, 1999, at the age of 76. He left behind a rich legacy of music and is remembered as one of the greatest vibraphone players in jazz history.
Images for kids
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Jackson at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, Half Moon Bay, California, 1980s.
See also
In Spanish: Milt Jackson para niños
