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.
So in Love
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you,
I'm limp as a glove,
The opening lines of "So in Love" by Milt Jackson conjure up a picture of a dreamy, starry-eyed lover who is utterly smitten with someone special. The singer describes themselves as being constantly drawn to the beauty and wonder of the night sky, almost as if they were under a spell. They hear the strains of guitars in their mind, perhaps a nod to the romantic nature of a serenade. These images reinforce the notion that the singer is lost in a state of infatuation and love.
The next lines refer to the bewilderment that often comes with being in love. The singer is almost surprised by their own behavior when they're around the object of their affection. Perhaps they feel as though they are not fully in control of their own actions, or perhaps they're simply overwhelmed by emotion. They seem to be aware that they are acting strangely, but they can't help themselves. They're too consumed by the intensity of their feelings.
The final lines bring the song's focus back to the person who is inspiring all of these intense emotions. Every time the singer looks at this person, they feel incredibly weak and vulnerable. They describe themselves as being "limp as a glove," perhaps a reference to the way a glove would hang lifeless without a hand to fill it. The singer seems to be suggesting that they are nothing without their love, that their entire sense of self is wrapped up in this one person.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars,
Recently, I've been spending time looking up at the stars in the sky
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
The sound of guitars makes me feel like I'm in love
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Occasionally, I am surprised by my actions
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Most of the time, this is because you are present
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Recently, I feel like I am walking on air
Bump into things like someone in love.
I am so preoccupied with love that I am not paying attention and accidentally bump into objects
Each time I look at you,
Whenever I gaze at you
I'm limp as a glove,
I suddenly find myself powerless and vulnerable
And feeling like someone in love.
All of the sensations associated with love are felt by me.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind