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.
Caravan
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The myst'ry of their fading light
That shines upon our caravan
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
Across the sand so I may keep
The mem'ry of our caravan
You are so inviting
Resting in my arms
As I thrill to the magic charms
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
My dream of love is coming true
Within our desert caravan
The lyrics to "Caravan" by Milt Jackson and Oscar Peterson paint a vivid picture of a romantic desert journey under the stars. The first line describes the bright stars above, followed by a reference to the mystery of their fading light, perhaps speaking to the fleeting nature of love and the preciousness of the moment they share. As they travel across the sand, the singer cradles their lover in their arms, cherishing the memory of their time together.
The following lines heighten the sense of excitement and anticipation, with the singer acknowledging that this moment is both thrilling and inviting. The magic of their shared experience is palpable, as they both feel their dream of love coming true beneath the vast expanse of the sky. Overall, the lyrics to "Caravan" speak to the beauty and power of human connection, even in the midst of vast and uncharted terrain.
Line by Line Meaning
Night and stars above that shine so bright
The dark sky is illuminated by numerous stars that emit a lustrous gleam upon us.
The myst'ry of their fading light
The enigmatic quality of the stars that seem to disappear into nothingness.
That shines upon our caravan
The glittering stars are illuminating our caravan.
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
As we slowly make our way across the sand, rest your head on my shoulder and sleep.
Across the sand so I may keep
As we travel across the vast desert expanse, I want to preserve this precious moment.
The mem'ry of our caravan
I want to create a lasting memory of this journey with you.
This is so exciting
I am thrilled and overwhelmed with excitement.
You are so inviting
You are drawing me to you with your irresistible charm.
Resting in my arms
As we rest close to each other, I hold you tight in my embrace.
As I thrill to the magic charms
I am captivated and deeply moved by your alluring power over me.
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
Here under the blue sky, your presence beside me is captivating.
My dream of love is coming true
My long-held dream of love is finally materializing with you.
Within our desert caravan
As we make our way across the scorching desert, we are united within our caravan.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RACHEL MARY BERKELEY PORTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind