A very expressive player, Jackson differentiated himself from other vibraphonists in his attention to variations on harmonics and rhythm. He was particularly fond of the twelve-bar blues at slow tempos. He preferred to set the vibraphone's oscillator to a low 3.3 revolutions per second (as opposed to Lionel Hampton's speed of 10 revolutions per second) for a more subtle vibrato. On occasion, Jackson would also sing and play piano professionally.
He was discovered by Dizzy Gillespie, who hired him for his sextet in 1946. He quickly acquired experience working with the most important figures in jazz of the era, including John Coltrane, Woody Herman, Howard McGhee, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker. In the Gillespie big band one of his jobs was to play in a quartet with John Lewis, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke while the horn section took a break from the demanding high-register horn parts. This group became the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), which had a long independent career of 20 years until disbanding in 1974 over financial problems (though it reformed in 1981). Jackson then toured alone, performing in various small combos.
From the mid-70s to the mid-80s, Jackson recorded for Norman Granz's Pablo Records, including the classic, "Jackson, Johnson, Brown & Company" (1983), featuring Jackson with J.J. Johnson on trombone, Ray Brown on bass, backed by Tom Ranier on piano, guitarist John Collins, and drummer Roy McCurdy.
He also guested on recordings by many leading jazz, blues and soul artists, such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, etc.
His composition "Bags' Groove" ("Bags" was his nickname, from the 'bags' under his eyes from staying up late) is a jazz standard. He has been featured on the NPR radio program Jazz Profiles.
Bags' Groove
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh yeah, come on ya'll
I want you to, I want you to
I want you to turn on the groove
You guys are unbelievable
The feeling is fine you throw down the line
The beat, the lyrics are too combined
Tonight tonight is meant to be wild
'Cause we're the ones yes the dance floor fillers
Don't like crime, don't like killers
Come on over what you trying to fool
Nothing alright then throw down the groove
Throw the groove down
Spinning round and round
We race them, we gotta pump
We can't get loose
Throw the groove down
Spinning round and round
We turn it up, not gonna stop
Just throw down the groove
You know that the best things in life are free
But if you don't make sure that you get a receipt
Like my man, Bob Marley said, 'Stand Up For Right'
Don't give up the fight if you help me all might
I think there's no time for no child's play
In the playground or perhaps another day
'Cause I in effect 'cause I coming in smooth
In other words throw down the groove
Throw the groove the down
Spinning round and round
We race them, we gotta pump
We can't get loose
Throw the groove down
Spinning round and round
We turn it up, not gonna stop
Just throw down the groove
Spinning round and round
Come on ya'll
Hoo, throw the groove down
Come on ya'll
Come, come, come on ya'll
Throw the groove down
Throw the groove down
Throw the groove down
Throw the groove down
Check, check, check it out ya'll
Let's get started, pay attention and listen up
Ooh yeah, come on ya'll
This is gonna be good, let's go
I want you to, I want you to
It's important to me that you do this
I want you to turn on the groove
Let's get the music going and start dancing
You guys are unbelievable
You're amazing, keep it up
The feeling is fine you throw down the line
The music is great and you're playing it well
The beat, the lyrics are too combined
The rhythm and words are perfectly intertwined
Tonight tonight is meant to be wild
We're going to have a crazy night
Doing it to a level that feels alright
Dancing and playing music until it feels good
'Cause we're the ones yes the dance floor fillers
We're the ones who make the dance floor crowded and lively
Don't like crime, don't like killers
We don't support illegal or harmful actions
Come on over what you trying to fool
Stop pretending and come join us
Nothing alright then throw down the groove
If you're feeling down, turn up the music and dance
Throw the groove down
Start dancing and playing music
Spinning round and round
Moving and grooving to the beat
We race them, we gotta pump
We're competing with other dancers and need to keep up our energy
We can't get loose
We can't slow down or lose our rhythm
You know that the best things in life are free
Valuable experiences often don't cost money
But if you don't make sure that you get a receipt
Make sure to document and remember these experiences
Like my man, Bob Marley said, 'Stand Up For Right'
Bob Marley encouraged standing up for justice and morality
Don't give up the fight if you help me all might
If we stand together, we can make a difference
I think there's no time for no child's play
There's no time for childish behavior
In the playground or perhaps another day
Whether it's on the dance floor or in life, we need to act maturely
In other words throw down the groove
To put it simply, let's dance and have fun
Come, come, come on ya'll
Don't be shy, let's dance together
Throw the groove down
Get ready to dance and play music
Throw the groove down
Let's keep the music and dancing going
Throw the groove down
One more time, keep dancing
Throw the groove down
Let's keep the music playing and the dancing going
Writer(s): Milt Jackson
Contributed by Ava Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marginality
Once, for a very short amount of time (i couldn't bear to dwell on it for long), i thought of how sere my spirit would be without the music of just three people. Two of them are right here together in this video. Born five years apart and lost to me (and the world!) just five days apart twenty-four years ago this month.
Requiescat in pace, Art(hur Stewart) Farmer. (October 4, 1999)
Requiescat in pace, Milt(on) "Bags" Jackson. (October 9, 1999)
I'm as diminished as if i have lost family members. In a broader sense of the word 'family', i have.
I thank Omniscience every day for sound and image recorders, at least.
Christer Holmgren
Max Roach is killing it, what a joy to hear him!
Mark Bridwell
Mega-tons of talent here . Unbelievably great performance of Jackson's composition by a host of immortals _ _ Kirkland's solo was a complete gas .
paul harris
Really a joy to hear these great musicians playing together, sounding great and enjoying themselves!
David Freedman
I had the pleasure of seeing Farmer, Golson and Toots live (on separate occasions). All magnificent. Of this 1997 front line, only Benny Golson is still alive today (November 2021). In fact, of the the 57 musicians in the Great Day In Harlem photo from 1958, only Benny and Sonny Rollins are still with us.
Roland Scialom
What a great jam session! What an historic experience! What a joy! Many thanks to whom posted it.
Thomas Zachariah
Amazing !! Love these sessions !!
Paul Combs - BoMuse
A remarkable collection of musicians. Thank you to whoever actually owns the video for allowing it to be shown.
Marginality
Once, for a very short amount of time (i couldn't bear to dwell on it for long), i thought of how sere my spirit would be without the music of just three people. Two of them are right here together in this video. Born five years apart and lost to me (and the world!) just five days apart twenty-four years ago this month.
Requiescat in pace, Art(hur Stewart) Farmer. (October 4, 1999)
Requiescat in pace, Milt(on) "Bags" Jackson. (October 9, 1999)
I'm as diminished as if i have lost family members. In a broader sense of the word 'family', i have.
I thank Omniscience every day for sound and image recorders, at least.
bill godman
A jazz textbook version of spectacular ensemble playing. Toots and Kenny were truly extraterrestrial!
George Marsh
One of the most interesting Benny Golson solos I've ever heard. A little like Dolphy--he didn't stand still in his approach to improvisation. For those who think he was having a bad day please listen to more jazz, especially Coltrane, Dolphy, AACM, Cecil Taylor, etc., and I think you'll see/hear that he was having a great day indeed.