Bags Still Grooves: Performance Strategies in Milt Jackson's Improvisations

Following a short biographical commentary on Milt Jackson, this essay highlights certain performance strategies that typified the vibist's spirited improvisations. Some of these, it is asserted result in embodied, automated skills in jazz performance. In examining Jackson's music, the analytical discussion is grounded in a number of recordings, focusing on his efforts outside of the context of his work with the Modern Jazz Quartet. While it is not intended to fully answer all of the questions raised, this close study of musical examples on the one hand, and key writings of a number of scholars on the other, allows to expand upon previous research on a number of levels. Notwithstanding the fact that jazz research has been conducted vigorously since the end of the twentieth century, there seems to be a paucity of information on Jackson, which underscores the motivation for and the importance of this discussion.