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.
Organ Grinder's Swing
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good old organ grinder Pete
He's the latest rhythm king
With his organ grinder's swing
Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Dadya, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Dadya, you swing it, so do I
Dadya, I swing it so do you
When he turns that handle down
Music goes around and 'round
Ev'rybody starts to sing
To that organ grinder's swing
Trala, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Trala, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Trala, you swing it, so do I
Trala, I swing it so do you
All the children tag along
Just to listen to his song
Monkey dancing on a string
To the organ grinder's swing
O-hum, Pa swings it, so does Ma
O-hum, Ma swings it, so does Pa
O-hum, you swing it, so do I
O-hum, I swing it so do you
The lyrics to Milt Jackson's song "Organ Grinder's Swing" describe the lively and infectious rhythm of an organ grinder named Pete. The song begins by asking, "Who's that coming down the street?" implying that Pete is a familiar figure in the neighborhood. He is referred to as the "latest rhythm king" because his music carries a unique and captivating swing that captures everyone's attention.
The second stanza emphasizes the communal aspect of Pete's music, as it states that both parents and children swing along to his organ grinder's swing. The repetition of "Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma" and "Dadya, Ma swings it, so does Pa" suggests that regardless of age or gender, everyone is caught up in the rhythm and movement of the music. It promotes the idea that music has the power to bring people together and create a sense of unity.
The third stanza further showcases the appeal of Pete's music, with all the children tagging along just to listen to his song. The mention of a monkey dancing on a string adds a playful element to the scene, emphasizing the joy and excitement that Pete's music brings to everyone. The line "To the organ grinder's swing" reinforces that the swing of the organ grinder's music is the focal point, tying all the characters and their enjoyment of the music together.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that coming down the street?
Curiously observing the approaching figure
Good old organ grinder Pete
Referring to the experienced and respected organ grinder named Pete
He's the latest rhythm king
Acknowledging Pete as the current master of rhythm
With his organ grinder's swing
Displaying his unique and captivating style of playing
Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Highlighting the ability of both the father and mother to produce the swinging rhythm
Dadya, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Emphasizing the mutual participation of both parents in creating the swinging rhythm
Dadya, you swing it, so do I
Encouraging others to join in producing the swinging rhythm
Dadya, I swing it so do you
Expressing the shared responsibility of maintaining the swinging rhythm
When he turns that handle down
Referring to the action of operating the organ grinder
Music goes around and 'round
Describing the cyclical nature of the music produced
Ev'rybody starts to sing
Indicating the contagious effect of the music, prompting everyone to join in singing
To that organ grinder's swing
Attributing the captivating effect to the swinging rhythm played by the organ grinder
Trala, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Repeating the previous sentiment of both parents contributing to the swinging rhythm
Trala, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Reiterating the idea of mutual participation in creating the swinging rhythm
Trala, you swing it, so do I
Encouraging others to continue contributing to the swinging rhythm
Trala, I swing it so do you
Emphasizing the collective effort in maintaining the swinging rhythm
All the children tag along
Describing the children's eager participation
Just to listen to his song
Clarifying that their motivation is solely to enjoy the music being played
Monkey dancing on a string
Depicting the entertaining sight of a monkey dancing while attached to a string
To the organ grinder's swing
Attributing the monkey's dancing to the captivating swinging rhythm played by the organ grinder
O-hum, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Echoing the previous statements regarding the involvement of both parents in creating the swinging rhythm
O-hum, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Reaffirming the idea of shared responsibility in maintaining the swinging rhythm
O-hum, you swing it, so do I
Encouraging continued participation from others in producing the swinging rhythm
O-hum, I swing it so do you
Stressing the collective effort required to sustain the swinging rhythm
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRVING MILLS, MITCHELL PARISH, WILL HUDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind