 |
Milton HiltonAmerican double bassist, photographer and teacher
Date of Birth: 23.06.1910
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Milt Hinton: A Legendary Jazz Bassist, Photographer, and Educator
- Musical Journey
- Marriage and Family
- Studio Musician and Performer
- Teaching and Travel
- Awards and Recognition
Milt Hinton: A Legendary Jazz Bassist, Photographer, and Educator
Early Life and InfluencesMilton John "Milt" Hinton was born on June 23, 1910, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Hilda Gertrude Robinson and Milton Dixon Hinton. His father abandoned the family when Milt was three months old, leaving him to grow up with his mother, two aunts, and maternal grandmother in extreme poverty and a racially hostile atmosphere. One of Milt's earliest memories was witnessing the lynching of an African American man, a horrifying experience that deeply scarred him.
In 1919, the family moved to Chicago, where Milt first realized that "being black did not always mean being poor." He was exposed to the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, and others, which inspired him to pursue a career in music.
Musical Journey
Milt began playing violin in his school orchestra and later switched to tenor horn, bass saxophone, and tuba. After graduating high school, he attended college while performing in various Chicago venues with notable musicians such as Freddie Keppard and Art Tatum. In 1932, he enrolled at Northwestern University but soon decided to dedicate himself fully to music.
From 1935 to 1936, Milt played in a quartet with violinist Eddie South, making his first recordings on the double bass. In 1936, he joined Cab Calloway's Orchestra, where he quickly gained recognition. He remained with the orchestra until its disbandment in 1940, performing on radio, in concert, and even in Cab Calloway's Quizzicale, a short-lived musical quiz show.
Marriage and Family
In 1939, Milt married Mona Clayton, a singer who traveled with him and Cab Calloway. They were devoted to each other throughout Milt's life. Clayton played a vital role in Milt's career, managing his finances, booking concerts, and handling public relations.
After the orchestra disbanded, Milt performed in a septet and later a quartet, touring extensively, including trips to Cuba and Uruguay. In the early 1950s, he played briefly with Count Basie in New York. In July 1953, he signed a one-year contract to tour with Louis Armstrong.
Studio Musician and Performer
From 1953 to 1970, Milt made numerous appearances on radio and television shows hosted by stars such as Jackie Gleason, Mitch Miller, and Patti Page. He recalled, "As I'd never worked more than fifteen hours a week doing rehearsals or shows, I had ample time to work in the studios."
Milt became one of the first African American contract musicians in a recording studio. He contributed to thousands of jazz and pop recordings, as well as hundreds of jingles and film soundtracks. He collaborated with Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Sam Cooke, and many others.
Teaching and Travel
In the 1960s through the 1990s, Milt traveled globally, performing in Europe, Canada, South America, Japan, the Soviet Union, the Middle East, and throughout the United States. He was a founding member of the bass ensemble Professionals Unlimited (later New York Bass Violin Choir), which released an album on the Strata-East label.
As a visiting professor in jazz studies, Milt taught at Hunter College and Baruch College for nearly 20 years. He initiated the first jazz workshop at Hunter College in the fall of 1973 and was a regular performer at the Newport Jazz Festival and other festivals organized by George Wein for four decades.
Awards and Recognition
Milt's contributions to the music world were widely recognized. In 1996, he was awarded the New York State Governor's Arts Award. Two years later, he received the Mississippi Governor's Award for Artistic Achievement. In 2000, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored him with a place on its Wall of Fame.
