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Milt Jackson, Detroit Jazz Musician born

Milt Jackson

Milt Jackson was born on this date in 1923. He was a Black jazz musician, the modern jazz era's first and most influential vibes player.

He was born in Detroit. At age 16, Jackson began playing vibes or vibraphone professionally. He attended Michigan State University and joined Dizzy Gillespie's sextet in 1945; he then worked with Gillespie's big band and later returned to play vibes and piano in Gillespie's sextet from 1950 to 1952. During this time, he freelanced with leading bop musicians in New York City and played in the Woody Herman band.

Also called “BAGS,” Jackson co-founded the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), his principal performance mouthpiece from 1952 to 1974. Meanwhile, he also recorded often as a sideman, including classic sessions with Thelonious Monk Evidence, Criss Cross, and Miles Davis Bags' Groove, and as a leader, including sets with top tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, and Lucky Thompson.

Jackson’s fluent playing had an undeniable swing heard in long lines of eighth and sixteenth notes. He created an original style from bebop's advanced harmonies and irregular beats. His sensitivity to balance and contrast made much of his playing with the MJQ gentle compared to his aggressive work in his groups.

Milt Jackson died in 1999.

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