Vibist Jackson Demonstrates Unrelenting Sense of Swing

Milt Jackson has dominated the vibes in a fashion virtually unmatched by a player on any other jazz instrument. Beyond Lionel Hampton, there have been plenty of other first-rate vibists, from Red Norvo to Bobby Hutcherson to the talented newcomer Stefon Harris. But the 75-year-old Jackson has--by almost universal agreement--been king of the hill for decades.

On Sunday afternoon, in a Chamber Music in Historic Sites concert at Union Station, he demonstrated some of the reasons for his lengthy high-level tenure.

The core element in Jackson’s playing, the essential heart of his skill as an improviser, rests in his inexorable sense of swing. The vibraphone, with its cold, seemingly unyielding metal bars, does not appear to be an instrument particularly conducive to the articulation required for rhythmic drive. But Jackson’s mallet control, with his infinite variety of ways to strike the bars, allows him to generate an extraordinary range of emotional and rhythmic emphasis.

The program was largely familiar--standards such as “Young and Foolish” and “I Wonder Why,” jazz lines such as Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-a-ning,” Sonny Rollins’ “St. Thomas” and Randy Weston’s “Hi-Fly.” These are tunes Jackson has played innumerable times, yet each of his improvisations, most of them extended, sounded new and refreshing, eagerly exploring the harmonies as vehicles to produce a parade of hard-swinging solos.

Jackson was supported in powerful fashion by musicians who are long-term associates--pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath.

Walton sounded in particularly fine form. Always an elegant, precise player, he seemed particularly concerned with melody in his soloing. A multiplicity of improvisatory phrases unfolded in his right hand, spinning through one idea after another, often taking six or eight bars to fully unfold. It was extraordinary playing from a mature, consummate jazz artist.

Simpkins was his familiar, dependable self, stepping to solo impressively on occasion. And Heath, Jackson’s current partner in the Modern Jazz Quartet, once again demonstrated--as he so often does--the subtle sounds and timbres that can be produced on a basic jazz drum set.

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* Milt Jackson also performs at Catalina Bar & Grill tonight through Saturday with Cedar Walton, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Mickey Roker. 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., (213) 466-2210. Performances at 8:30 and 10 p.m.