Major Works
Albums
- Milt Hinton (1955)
- Basses Loaded (1955)
- Milt Hinton Quartet (1955)
- The Rhythm Section (1956)
- The Trio (1977)
- Back to Bass-ics (1984)
- The Judge’s Decision (1984)
- Old Man Time (1989)
- The Trio: 1994 (1994)
- Laughing at Life (1994)
Appears On
- 1930’s: The Small Combos (1930)
- 1940’s: The Singers (1940)
- 1992 Stash Sampler (1992)
- 52nd Street: Street of Jazz (1998)
- With Strings/Jump for Joy (1955)
- Verve Jazz Masters, Vol. 31 (1956)
- Jazz Workshop (1955)
- Jazz Greats of Out Time, Vol. 1 (1957)
- Stormy Weather (1957)
- American Songbook Series: Irving… (1992)
- American Songbook Series: Harry… (1993)
- Hot Cargo! (1956)
- Moanin’, Moanin’, Moanin’ (1960)
- Maxene: An Andrews Sister (1985)
Books
- Bass Lines: The Stories and Photographs of Milt Hinton (1988), written with David G. Berger, who helped him catalog his photographs
- Over Time (1991) also written with David G. Berge
Milt Hinton: A Biography
by Ryan McRae (SHS)
Ryan McRae (SHS Researcher)
Milt Hinton is one of the greatest jazz bassists to ever live. He has been nicknamed “The Judge” for his outstanding musical ability. Milt was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on June 23, 1910. He lived in Vicksburg until the age of eleven when he moved to Chicago, Illinois. He attended Wendell Phillips High School and Crane Junior College. While attending these schools, Milt learned to play the bass horn, tuba, cello and the bass violin.
In the late 1920’s and early 30s, Milt continued to live in Chicago, and he worked as a free lance musician. During this time, he worked with famous jazz musicians such as Jabbo Smith, Eddie South, and Art Tatum. In 1936, he joined a band led by Cab Calloway. Members of this band included Chu Berry, Cozy Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Illinois Jacquet, Jonah Jones, Ike Quebec, Ben Webster, and Danny Barker. “Pluckin the Bass” in 1939 and “Ebony Silhouette” in 1941 were showcase songs for Hinton. As well as playing with Cab’s band, Milt was also featured on recordings in which he played with Chuck Berry, Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Ethel Waters, and Teddy Wilson.
(Photo by Art Elgot)
Milt played with Calloway’s band for many years, but he finally left the band in 1951. After leaving the band, he began a free lance career in New York City. Since 1951, he has appeared on many, many records. Milt has played with Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, Sam Cooke, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bette Midler, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, and Barbara Streisand, just to name a few. During this time he has also played on several movie soundtracks and appeared on many television and radio shows. Hinton’s prosperous studio career began in 1953 when bandleader and entertainer Jackie Gleason invited him to record with his orchestra. One of only of two black musicians in the whole 65 man orchestra, Hinton’s outstanding musicianship, versatility and professionalism would continue to earn him countless bookings in the studio over the years. He has also toured around the world with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Pearl Bailey, and Bing Crosby. He has accompanied many famous musicians and is one of the most recorded musicians in history.
Along with being an amazing musician, Milt is also known for his skills as a photographer. He has taken many pictures of his experiences as a musician and has had several exhibits which focused on his work. He has had exhibits across the United States and in Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Scotland. Milt’s pictures have been shown at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, the Detroit historical museum, and many other art museums.
Milt has won many awards for his outstanding work in music. These awards include a membership in the Duke Ellington Fellowship at Yale University and honorary doctorates from many universities including Depaul University, Trinity College, and Berkeley College of Music. He has also received the American Jazz Master Fellowship from the National Endowment form the Arts. Milt Hinton is a great musician who has accomplished many things in his long and distinguished career. Milt Hinton, one of the most recorded musicians of all time, died on December 19, 2000, at the age of 90. He will always be remembered for amazing musical ability and his achievements in the arts.
Related Websites
- Milt Hinton website
- Milt Hinton, Dean of Jazz Bassists, Is Dead at 90, New York Times article published on death of Hinton on Dec.19, 2000.
- Milt Hinton: The Ultimate Timekeeper (NPR Jazz Profiles)
Bibliography
- Scott, Yanow. “Milt Hinton.” All Music Guide. 2000. 18. April. 2000. <http://www.allmusic.com/> Excellent info, but you will have to do a search under “Artist” and type in Hinton’s name. Gives complete discography, etc.
- “Milt Hinton.” Sonicnet.com. 2000. 23. April. 2000. <http://www.sonicnet.com/home/index.jhtml>
- “Milt Hinton.” Maishkin Gallery Home Page. 1997. 22. April. 2000. <http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/mishkin/hinton/hinton-history.html>