Jackson’s Heart Still Belongs to Be-Bop

Milt Jackson, jazz’s premier vibist, may be best known for his role in the Modern Jazz Quartet, whose formal, precise approach to mainstream jazz has made it one of the world’s most respected ensembles.

But Jackson’s heart remains closest to the bluesy, be-bop-based sounds that he delivers when playing with the quartet that bears his name. The Milt Jackson Quartet--with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist John Clayton and drummer Billy Higgins--has just ended a run at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood.

“There’s a definite format to the MJQ,” said Jackson. “Even our program is decided the night before a concert by (pianist-leader) John (Lewis).

“With my band, everything is much more spontaneous, much more informal,” said the man who made some of the first records of the be-bop era with such giants as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk. “I don’t even like to think about what I’m going to play until I get on the bandstand.”

Jackson--who still performs about 90 dates a year with the MJQ, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary later this year with a commemorative four CD package to be released on Atlantic Records--feels that the be-bop style favored by his quartet would be much more popular if it had been given a bigger push by the media.

“Lack of exposure is the main reason this music has never progressed or done anything,” he said. “All the music that comes into the public eye has to be brought there by someone or something. People are prone to want what you give them. If you give them enough jazz, they’ll get it.”

In the Bins: Bassist Larry Gales, a member of Thelonious Monk’s quartet from 1964 to ‘69, is spotlighted on “A Message From Monk” (Candid Records), a six-tune set recorded last year. The package finds tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, trombonist Steve Turre and pianist Benny Green doing justice to such Monk works as “Off Minor” and “Ruby, My Dear.” . . . Green, who was with the Jazz Futures at the recent Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, is out with “Greens,” his second Blue Note Records release. The album features his regular trio working out nicely on such titles as “Time After Time.”