In a glittering 40-year career, Milt Jackson not only established himself as
jazz music's greatest vibraphone player, he composed a series of classic pieces
including 'Bluesology', 'The Cylinder' and 'Bags Groove'. Strong-minded and
outspoken, he was a political activist and campaigner, fighting for equal rights
and relishing the title of 'rebel' that was often applied to him.
Born in Detroit on New Year's Day in 1923, he was surrounded by music from an
early age, notably the gospel music he heard in church. His first instrument was
guitar, but by the age of 11 he'd turned to ...