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 Other Half Of Me
Milt Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The other half of me
The other half of me I've yet to meet
One special someone
Whose heart has a similar leaning
And if she were right for me
Day and night for me would have meaning
The other half of me
That unknown quantity
That unseen destiny
Could make me complete
Is there a chart for the heart, or a graph?
Will we meet on the street with a laugh?
Will we know one another if I ever meet my other half?
The other half of me...
This song by Milt Jackson is a poignant reflection on the human condition of seeking completeness. The opening lines of the song express a feeling that many of us can relate to; there is a part of us that is missing, an other half that we yearn to meet. The songwriter seems to be longing for someone who can understand and complement his existence, someone whose heart leans in the same direction as his own. The lyrics imply that this special someone is yet to be found, leaving him at once incomplete and hopeful for the future.
The idea of the other half of oneself is not new, it has been a theme in literature, mythology, and philosophy for centuries. In ancient Greece, the concept of "soulmates" was often explored, where two people were destined to be together because they were two halves of a whole. The song suggests that this unknown destiny is necessary for him to feel complete, and he searches for it in his daily life, wondering if he will ever recognize that he has found the missing piece to that puzzle.
The lyrics also explore the mystery of how this meeting might happen. Will they meet by chance on the street? Will they feel a connection instantaneously or will it take time? This sense of anticipation, combined with the recognition of what is missing, creates a powerful sense of longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere there has to be
I believe that there is someone out there who completes me.
The other half of me
The person who completes me, who I am missing.
The other half of me I've yet to meet
I have not met the person who completes me yet.
One special someone
There is only one person who can complete me.
Whose heart has a similar leaning
The person who completes me shares my values and passions.
And if she were right for me
If the person who completes me is the right fit for me.
Day and night for me would have meaning
My life would have purpose and meaning with this person in it.
That unknown quantity
The person who completes me is a mystery to me.
That unseen destiny
Meeting the person who completes me is fate that I cannot control.
Could make me complete
The person who completes me will fill the missing piece of my life.
Is there a chart for the heart, or a graph?
Is there a way to predict who the person is who completes me?
Will we meet on the street with a laugh?
Will I meet the person who completes me randomly and joyfully?
Will we know one another if I ever meet my other half?
If I do meet the person who completes me, will we instantly recognize each other?
The other half of me...
The person who completes me, who I am missing.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACK LAWRENCE, STAN FREEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vickie Neuman
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