His father, John Sr., who died in 1939, played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra. After his father's death, his musical education was continued by his godfather, by his stepfather, who owned a record store, and by several noted teachers. He also received informal tutoring from neighbours Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Charlie Parker. During high school he played in a band with Kenny Drew, Sonny Rollins, and Andy Kirk, Jr. (the tenor saxophonist son of Andy Kirk).
He recorded with Miles Davis, on Davis' Dig album, when he was 19 years old. Rollins played on the same album. As a young man McLean also recorded with Gene Ammons, Charles Mingus, George Wallington, and as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (he reportedly joined the Jazz Messengers after being punched by the notoriously violent Mingus and, fearing for his life, brandished a knife and contemplated stabbing him).
McLean was a heroin addict throughout his early career, and the resulting loss of his New York City cabaret license forced him to undertake a large number of recording dates; consequently he produced a large body of recorded work in the 1950s and 60s. He was under contract with Blue Note Records from 1959 to 1967, having previously recorded for Prestige. Blue Note offered better pay and more artistic control than other labels, and his work for Blue Note is highly regarded.
In 1962 he recorded Let Freedom Ring for Blue Note. This album was the culmination of attempts he had made over the years to deal with harmonic problems in jazz, especially in soloing on his piece "Quadrangle." (*"Quadrangle" appears on BST 4051, Jackie's Bag, recorded in 1959). Let Freedom Ring began a period in which he performed with avant-garde musicians rather than the veteran hard bop performers he had been performing with. His recordings from 1962 on, in which he adapted the innovations of modal and free jazz to hard bop, made his body of work distinctive.
In 1964, he served six months in prison on drug charges. The period immediately after his release from prison is known as his acid period because the three albums he released during it were much harsher in tone than his previous albums.
In 1967 his recording contract, like the contracts of many other progressive musicians, was terminated by Blue Note's new management. His opportunities to record promised so little pay that he abandoned recording as a way to earn a living, concentrating instead on touring. In 1968 he began teaching at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford. He later set up the university's African American Music Department (now the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz) and its Jazz Studies degree program.
In 1970 he and his wife Dollie founded the Artists' Collective, Inc. of Hartford, an organization dedicated to preserving the art and culture of the African diaspora. It provides educational programs and instruction in dance, theatre, music and visual arts.
He received an American Jazz Masters fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2001.
His son René is a jazz saxophonist and flautist as well as a jazz educator.
After a long illness, McLean died on March 31, 2006 in Hartford, Connecticut
Why Was I Born?
Jackie McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With nothing to do
But to live in dreams that I make up
All by myself
Dreaming that you're beside me
I picture the prettiest stories
Only to wake up
What is the good of me by myself?
Why was I born
Why am I living
What do I get
What am I giving
Why do I want a thing
I daren't hope for
What can I hope for
I wish I knew
Why do I try
To draw you near me
Why do I do I cry
You never hear me
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
I'm a poor fool
But what can I do
Why was I born
To love you
The song "Why Was I Born?" by Jackie McLean expresses the feelings of loneliness, unrequited love, and self-doubt in a poignant manner that makes it resonate with listeners across generations. The singer starts by describing his lonesome evenings spent daydreaming about being with someone who isn't there. He creates elaborate stories and fantasy scenarios in his mind but then is rudely awakened to the reality that he's alone. In this desolate state, he questions the point of his existence, wondering why he was born and what his purpose in life is.
As he laments his situation, he also reflects on the futility of hoping for things he doesn't think he deserves while giving very little of himself to others. He is confused about his feelings, asking why he tries to draw the person he loves close to him when they don't listen to him or even acknowledge his existence. He feels like a poor fool for wanting something that he can't have and doesn't know what to do about it.
Ultimately, the song is a powerful expression of human vulnerability and the need for connection. The words and melody come together to create a beautiful, haunting piece that captures the essence of unrequited love and existential uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Spending these lonesome evenings
I spend my evenings alone
With nothing to do
I have nothing to occupy my time
But to live in dreams that I make up
I escape my loneliness by imagining scenarios in my mind
All by myself
Without anyone else to share my thoughts with
Dreaming that you're beside me
In my imaginary world, you are present
I picture the prettiest stories
I create the most beautiful scenarios
Only to wake up
But then reality hits me
All by myself
And I'm once again alone
What is the good of me by myself?
What is the purpose of being alone?
Why was I born
What's the point of my existence?
Why am I living
Why am I alive?
What do I get
What do I gain from my life?
What am I giving
What do I contribute to the world around me?
Why do I want a thing
Why do I desire something
I daren't hope for
That I can't even hope for
What can I hope for
What possible hopes can I have?
I wish I knew
I don't have an answer
Why do I try
Why do I make the effort
To draw you near me
To bring you closer to me
Why do I do I cry
Why do my tears fall
You never hear me
When you are not there to listen
I'm a poor fool
I acknowledge my foolishness
But what can I do
But I am powerless to change it
Why was I born
Why do I exist?
To love you
To love someone who may never love me back
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philbarone4603
Jackie was a tremendous musician, a dear, dear, loyal friend and a giant of a human being with a heart of gold.
@charlierumoleboi3578
Had the album in the early 80's. Great to hear it again.
@olebirgerpedersen
I have followed Jackie Maclean since he played in the play " The Connection" and I am still a great fan. When peoble sais that he is not original I ask them to lisren again. He was unique.
@user-dl7ft6qk3t
👍👍👍👍👍