Milton Jackson was born on January 1, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. Also known as Milt and Bags, Jackson was the most influential vibraphone player in modern jazz.
Having perfect pitch, Jackson taught himself how to play the guitar at the age of 7. He began piano lessons at 11, and sang tenor in a touring gospel quartet. Milt began playing the vibes at age 16 and began his jazz career as well.
After high school, Jackson was on the verge of joining Earl \\\"Fatha\\\" Hines\\\' big band, but was drafted and served two years in the military.
In 1945, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie asked Jackson to join his sextet, which evolved into a big band. Out that band evolved the Milt Jackson Quartet. The group was the rhythm section of Milt, pianist John Lewis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Kenny Clarke.
In 1952, the group, with Percy Heath on bass and Connie Kay replacing Clarke, became known as the Modern Jazz Giants. This group would play with assorted members until 1994.
Throughout the next 40 years Milt recorded numerous albums as a leader and with the Modern Jazz Quartet. In 1992 he began a series of albums produced by Quincy Jones for the Qwest label.
Unfortunately for the jazz and music world, Bags died of liver cancer on October 9, 1999. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Sandra, and three brothers: Alvin, Wilbur, and James. |
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