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.
The Nearness of You
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That thrills and delights me, oh no
Its just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation, oh no
Its just the nearness of you
All my wildest dreams come true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me the right
To hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
In Milt Jackson's song "The Nearness of You," the singer speaks about the powerful impact a person can have on them just through their proximity. It is not the ephemeral and fleeting beauty of the pale moon that the singer finds exciting, but rather the constant and steadying influence of the person they are singing about. The mere fact that this person is close to them, and the comfort and joy that comes with that closeness, is all the thrill the singer needs.
As the song goes on, the singer describes how it is not even the person's words or actions that cause this excitement- it is simply the fact that they are near. When the person is in the singer's arms, their wildest dreams come true because of the sheer pleasure of their closeness. And finally, the singer implores the person not to worry about romantic ambiance or the need for enchantment through external factors- all they want is to hold this person closely and feel the power of their nearness.
Line by Line Meaning
Its not the pale moon that excites me
The singer is not excited by the pale moon.
That thrills and delights me, oh no
The singer is not experiencing a thrilling or delightful sensation because of the pale moon.
Its just the nearness of you
The singer is excited and thrilled by the proximity of the person they are addressing.
It isn't your sweet conversation
The artist is not enthralled by the person's conversation.
That brings this sensation, oh no
The sensation the artist is experiencing is not brought about by the person's conversation.
Its just the nearness of you
The singer's sensations are caused by the person's proximity.
When you're in my arms and I feel you so close to me
The singer delights in the experience of having the person in their arms, feeling close to them.
All my wildest dreams come true
The artist's wildest dreams are fulfilled in this moment.
I need no soft lights to enchant me
The artist does not require the presence of dim lighting to feel enchanted.
If you'll only grant me the right
The artist requests that the person they are addressing grant them a request.
To hold you ever so tight
The singer desires to hold the person tightly.
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
The artist seeks to experience the person's proximity, even in the dark.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barbara Lewin
Stunningly beautiful and moving.
amtrakatsfnyc
Once again Milt brings peace and emotion with his music. Thank you for sharing.
Georges Prudenté
Great. Thanks.
Dixie Dale
He was the Fender Rhodes before it was invented.
George Prosser
The Nearness Of You; Milt Jackson Quartet..1955 Thnx denguri ..