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Milt Jackson

Master musician (1923-1999)

A Tribute by Consuela Lee,
Snow Hill, Alabama

It was Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1995. As I entered the old building at Snow Hill Institute in Snow Hill, Ala., where colleagues were preparing for the Jazz Workshop, I heard music emanating from a vibraphone. The improvised lines were a combination of impeccable musicianship and technique. The mallets created a warm sound as they struck the keys. The music seemed inspired by a spiritual upbringing, the genius of Charlie Parker and the energy and imagination of the Be-Bop era. It could only be one person performing: The Master--Milt Jackson.

Snow Hill Institute of Cultural Arts and Heritage has a xylophone ensemble, "Bright Glory," a group of children ages 7-14 who play compositions by such composers as Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Milt Jackson. We were determined to have this group of children, as well as other students, experience the joy of Mr. Jackson's playing as well as the opportunity to talk with him. It was also important that "Bright Glory" have the chance to share the concert stage with Mr. Jackson in Montgomery, Ala. We accomplished all three objectives.

At the September '95 workshop Mr. Jackson talked directly to the students, mostly about the history of Black music (especially jazz), and, modestly, very little about himself and his career. He emphasized the fact that jazz is a Black music and seemed especially concerned that a white woman had recently won an award for Best Gospel Vocalist of the year.

Xylophone students were most impressed by his technique of using the weight of his shoulders and arms to produce a full yet warm sound.

Mr. Jackson was born in Detroit and was a naturally gifted musician, playing guitar at seven, piano at 11 and, by high school, playing the drums, violin and xylophone. He also sang in the choir and picked up the vibraphone at age 16. In 1942 he served a two-year stint in the army, then returned home to form his own quartet--The Four Sharps. Dizzy Gillespie heard the group and invited Mr. Jackson to join his band in 1945. Mr. Jackson made several recordings with Dizzy's band including "Night in Tunisia" and ."

John Lewis was the pianist with the Gillespie band and in 1952 Mr. Lewis, Kenny Clarke on drums, Percy Heath on bass and Milt Jackson on vibraphone began the Modern Jazz Quartet. Mr. Jackson played with the MJQ--off and on--for 40 years, finally leaving for good in 1995 after the group had gained worldwide "musical institution" status, due in great part to Mr. Jackson's improvisational talents and over-all musical gifts.

For the children in Snow Hill, Ala., Milt Jackson left a lasting impression of a Master Musician who graciously shared with them his time, knowledge and talent.

 

 Milt Jackson
   

Milt Jackson--master musician (1923-1999)

It was Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1995. As I entered the old building at Snow Hill Institute in Snow Hill, Ala., where colleagues were preparing for the Jazz Workshop, I heard music emanating from a vibraphone. The improvised lines were a combination of impeccable musicianship and technique. The mallets created a warm sound as they struck the keys. The music seemed inspired by a spiritual upbringing, the genius of Charlie Parker and the energy and imagination of the Be-Bop era. It could only be one person performing: The Master--Milt Jackson.

Snow Hill Institute of Cultural Arts and Heritage has a xylophone ensemble, "Bright Glory," a group of children ages 7-14 who play compositions by such composers as Duke Ellington, Thad Jones and Milt Jackson. We were determined to have this group of children, as well as other students, experience the joy of Mr. Jackson's playing as well as the opportunity to talk with him. It was also important that "Bright Glory" have the chance to share the concert stage with Mr. Jackson in Montgomery, Ala. We accomplished all three objectives.

At the September '95 workshop Mr. Jackson talked directly to the students, mostly about the history of Black music (especially jazz), and, modestly, very little about himself and his career. He emphasized the fact that jazz is a Black music and seemed especially concerned that a white woman had recently won an award for Best Gospel Vocalist of the year.

Xylophone students were most impressed by his technique of using the weight of his shoulders and arms to produce a full yet warm sound.

Mr. Jackson was born in Detroit and was a naturally gifted musician, playing guitar at seven, piano at 11 and, by high school, playing the drums, violin and xylophone. He also sang in the choir and picked up the vibraphone at age 16. In 1942 he served a two-year stint in the army, then returned home to form his own quartet--The Four Sharps. Dizzy Gillespie heard the group and invited Mr. Jackson to join his band in 1945. Mr. Jackson made several recordings with Dizzy's band including "Night in Tunisia" and ."

John Lewis was the pianist with the Gillespie band and in 1952 Mr. Lewis, Kenny Clarke on drums, Percy Heath on bass and Milt Jackson on vibraphone began the Modern Jazz Quartet. Mr. Jackson played with the MJQ--off and on--for 40 years, finally leaving for good in 1995 after the group had gained worldwide "musical institution" status, due in great part to Mr. Jackson's improvisational talents and over-all musical gifts.

For the children in Snow Hill, Ala., Milt Jackson left a lasting impression of a Master Musician who graciously shared with them his time, knowledge and talent.

Consuela Lee
Snow Hill, Ala.