What's Spinning Today

You know that I'm fond of the Modern Jazz Quartet and have written often about how they are one of my favourite bands of all time (one of many, admittedly...) but I am also a fan of vibes-master Milt Jackson's solo work.

For the most part, it is quite different from the MJQ since that band's music was largely arranged by pianist John Lewis and had a healthy dose of classical music infused into their sound. His solo work tends to be more bop oriented, which makes sense since he did hone his chops in Dizzy Gillespie's band in the '40s. It was there he first played with John Lewis.

The story goes that when the horn players took an intermission, this rhythm section would remain onstage and soon enough decided to leave Dizzy's band to explore their own sound. In 1952 Percy Heath joined the band and then three years later Connie Kay replaced Kenny 'Klook' Clark and the foursome would go on to greatness.

Even though the MJQ toured and recorded regularly, Milt Jackson also recorded under his own name with many of the biggest names in jazz including John Coltrane, Oscar Peterson and Wes Montgomery.

Milt ringing those bells

This morning I was taken by 'Sandra's Blues' from the album 'Bean Bags' (1959). (Milt Jackson's nickname was 'Bags', which in a genre full of classic nicknames such as Klook, Bird, Duke, Lady Day, this ranks as one of the worst... but what's in a name, right? At least it's not as lame as Mel Torme's nickname: The Velvet Mist...) This track features the breathy sax of Coleman Hawkins and the guitar work of a young Kenny Burrell.

A great song to begin a Friday. Enjoy!