Wizard Of The Vibes Milt Jackson

• 1 Tahiti 03:28
• 2 Lillie 03:15
• 3 Criss Cross 02:56
• 4 Willow Weep For Me 03:01
• 5 What's New 03:14
• 6 Bags' Groove 03:06
• 7 On The Scene 02:44
• 8 Eronel 03:03
• Total Runtime 24:47

Info for Wizard Of The Vibes

„The music on Wizard of the Vibes features Milt Jackson with the Thelonious Monk Quartet in a 1948 session combined with a 1952 date with his bandmates from the Modern Jazz Quartet (at that time including John Lewis, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke) along with alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson, who was oddly credited as the leader of the date on the original release, though it clearly seems to be Jackson in charge.

The chemistry between Jackson and Monk on classics like 'Misterioso,' 'Evidence,' 'I Mean You,' and 'Epistrophy' is immediately apparent, although Kenny 'Pancho' Hagood's vocals on the standards 'All the Things You Are' and 'I Should Care' remain an acquired taste. Jackson introduces three originals on the latter session, including the debut of his highly acclaimed 'Bag's Groove,' which has long since become one of the most celebrated and popular jazz compositions.

Lewis' uncanny musical ESP is evident throughout the session, as he feeds Jackson imaginative lines for his improvisations. Donaldson is enjoyable at times but doesn't always play at a level equal to the rhythm section, resorting to rather run-of-the-mill ideas in some of his improvisations. Milt Jackson's inventive playing throughout both dates makes this an important CD in his considerable discography, so it should be a part of any bop fan's collection.“ (Ken Dryden, AMG)

Milt Jackson, vibraphone
Kenny 'Pancho' Hagood, vocals
Lou Donaldson, alto saxophone
John Richard Lewis, piano
Thelonious Monk, piano
Kenny Clarke, drums
Shadow Wilson, drums

Recorded at WOR Studios, New York City on April 7, 1952 (tracks 1-9)
and Apex Studios, New York City on July 2, 1948 (tracks 10-17)
Engineered by Harry Smith and Doug Hawkins

Digitally remastered

Milt Jackson
Before Milt Jackson, there were only two major vibraphonists: Lionel Hampton and Red Norvo. Jackson soon surpassed both of them in significance and, despite the rise of other players (including Bobby Hutcherson and Gary Burton), still won the popularity polls throughout the decades. Jackson (or "Bags" as he was long called) was at the top of his field for 50 years, playing bop, blues, and ballads with equal skill and sensitivity.

Milt Jackson started on guitar when he was seven, and piano at 11; a few years later, he switched to vibes. He actually made his professional debut singing in a touring gospel quartet. After Dizzy Gillespie discovered him playing in Detroit, he offered him a job with his sextet and (shortly after) his innovative big band (1946). Jackson recorded with Gillespie, and was soon in great demand. During 1948-1949, he worked with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Howard McGhee, and the Woody Herman Orchestra. After playing with Gillespie's sextet (1950-1952), which at one point included John Coltrane, Jackson recorded with a quartet comprised of John Lewis, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke (1952), which soon became a regular group called the Modern Jazz Quartet. Although he recorded regularly as a leader (including dates in the 1950s with Miles Davis and/or Thelonious Monk, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, and Ray Charles), Milt Jackson stayed with the MJQ through 1974, becoming an indispensable part of their sound. By the mid-'50s, Lewis became the musical director and some felt that Bags was restricted by the format, but it actually served him well, giving him some challenging settings. And he always had an opportunity to jam on some blues numbers, including his "Bags' Groove." However, in 1974, Jackson felt frustrated by the MJQ (particularly financially) and broke up the group. He recorded frequently for Pablo in many all-star settings in the 1970s, and after a seven-year vacation, the MJQ came back in 1981. In addition to the MJQ recordings, Milt Jackson cut records as a leader throughout his career for many labels including Savoy, Blue Note (1952), Prestige, Atlantic, United Artists, Impulse, Riverside, Limelight, Verve, CTI, Pablo, Music Masters, and Qwest. He died of liver cancer on October 9, 1999, at the age of 76. (Scott Yanow)

This album contains no booklet.