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.
Stardust
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steals across the meadows of my heart
High up in the sky the little stars climb
Always reminding me that we're apart
You wander down the lane and far away
Leaving me a song that will not die
Love is now the stardust of yesterday
The music of the years gone by.
Sometimes I wonder, how I spend
The lonely nights
Dreaming of a song
The melody
Haunts my reverie
And I am once again with you
When our love was new
And each kiss an inspiration
But that was long ago
And now my consolation is in the stardust of a song
Besides the garden wall, when stars are bright
You are in my arms
The nightingale
Tells his fairytale
Of paradise, where roses grew
Though I dream in vain
In my heart it will remain
My stardust melody
The memory of love's refrain.
The lyrics of Milt Jackson's song "Stardust" revolve around the theme of love and longing for a past relationship. The song begins with a poetic description of twilight, as the purple dusk of twilight time "steals across the meadows" of the singer's heart. The little stars in the sky serve as a constant reminder of the distance that separates the singer from their loved one. As the loved one walks away and fades into the distance, they leave behind a song that will forever be a bittersweet memory. Love has now become the stardust of yesterday, the music that evokes the emotions of years gone by.
The singer often finds themselves spending lonely nights dreaming of a song, a melody that haunts their thoughts and takes them back to the time when their love was new and each kiss was an inspiration. But that love and inspiration are now distant memories, and the singer finds solace in the stardust of the song – a reminder of the love they once shared.
The second verse of the song mentions being together under the stars, where the nightingale tells a fairytale of paradise and blooming roses. However, the singer acknowledges that their dreams are in vain, knowing that they can never be with their loved one again. Nevertheless, the memory of their love will forever remain in their heart, represented by the stardust melody and the refrain of love.
Overall, "Stardust" is a poignant and nostalgic song that captures the essence of longing for a lost love. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and metaphorical elements, creating a wistful and heartfelt atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
And now the purple dusk of twilight time
As the evening comes to an end, the enchanting colors of the fading light fill my heart with a peaceful serenity.
Steals across the meadows of my heart
The beauty of the twilight slowly embraces my innermost emotions, just like a gentle thief.
High up in the sky the little stars climb
In the vast expanse above, the tiny stars ascend, symbolizing the distance between us that constantly lingers.
Always reminding me that we're apart
The stars serve as a constant reminder of our physical separation, their eternal presence accentuating the void within my heart.
You wander down the lane and far away
As you embark on your own journey, wandering down distant paths, you gradually grow more distant from me and our shared experiences.
Leaving me a song that will not die
Even in your absence, you leave behind a profound song that remains eternally alive within me, carrying the remnants of our love.
Love is now the stardust of yesterday
The love we once cherished has transformed into a shimmering residue, resembling stardust, of memories and experiences from the past.
The music of the years gone by
Like a melodic symphony, these memories resonate through the passage of time, becoming the soundtrack to the years we have left behind.
Sometimes I wonder, how I spend
Occasionally, I find myself contemplating how I occupy my time, particularly during the long and solitary nights.
The lonely nights
During these nights of solitude, I am enveloped by a deep sense of longing and yearning for your presence.
Dreaming of a song
In my dreams, I immerse myself in a melodious tune, conjuring illusions of our past and the love we once shared.
The melody
This enchanting melody, woven with nostalgia, holds the power to transport me back to a time when our love was alive and thriving.
Haunts my reverie
This irresistible melody lingers persistently in my daydreams, intertwining with my thoughts and imbuing them with a bittersweet essence.
And I am once again with you
Through the captivating power of this song, I am transported back in time, reliving the moments when we were together, even if only in my mind.
When our love was new
This melody vividly evokes the early stages of our love, when every kiss and embrace felt like a newfound inspiration.
And each kiss an inspiration
Each tender kiss we shared was a catalyst, igniting a spark within me that ignited my creativity and filled my soul with inspiration.
But that was long ago
However, those blissful moments of inspiration and love are now distant memories, belonging to a bygone era.
And now my consolation is in the stardust of a song
In my current state of longing and nostalgia, the only comfort I find is within the ethereal beauty and emotional resonance of this musical stardust.
Besides the garden wall, when stars are bright
Beyond the confines of the garden, under the shimmering brilliance of the stars, our hearts are drawn closer together.
You are in my arms
In that moment, I hold you tightly in an embrace, feeling your warmth and presence as if you were here with me.
The nightingale
As the nightingale serenades us with its melodic voice, it weaves a tale of longing and desire, reminiscent of a fairytale.
Tells his fairytale
Through its enchanting singing, the nightingale narrates a story that resonates deeply within our hearts, evoking a world of enchantment and beauty.
Of paradise, where roses grew
This fairytale takes us to a paradisiacal realm, where vibrant roses blossomed, symbolizing the abundant and passionate love we once shared.
Though I dream in vain
Despite my futile dreams and wishes, this paradise remains out of reach, forever existing as a figment of imagination.
In my heart it will remain
Nevertheless, the memory of this idyllic paradise and the emotions associated with it will forever reside deep within my heart, refusing to fade away.
My stardust melody
Within the essence of this melancholic song, there exists a mesmerizing melody that evokes a sense of ethereal enchantment and nostalgic longing.
The memory of love's refrain
Embedded within this stardust melody is the powerful recollection of the repeated and captivating melodies that encapsulate the essence of our love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GENTRY, JOHN HUTCHINSON DEAN, MATTHEW EVERITT, SIMON IAN WHITE, STUART BLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind