Milt Buckner

Milton " Milt " Buckner (* July 10, 1915 in St. Louis, Missouri, † July 27, 1977 in Chicago, Illinois ) was an American jazz pianist and organist of the swing.

Career

An uncle taught him to play the piano. He first played for the McKinney 's Cotton Pickers, then with his brother, alto saxophonist Ted Buckner, from 1935 in the orchestra of Jimmy Raschell. From 1941 to 1948, and again 1950/52 he played with Lionel Hampton, where he worked as an arranger and had his own large orchestra between engagements at Hampton. From 1952 he worked as Hammondorganist with own trio, with whom he toured in Germany in 1968 and 1969.

Buckner is regarded as the pianist, who first used block chords as a means of expression, the right hand plays four note chords and the left hand the upper voice or the melody an octave octave down to highlight the vocals ( Locked hands). He was also one of the first Hammond organist who played in the rhythm and blues genre, and therefore became popular. With his block chord style, he influenced pianists Red Garland, George Shearing and Oscar Peterson. He was a composer of the title Hamp 's Boogie Woogie.

Discography (selection)

• Vibe Boogie ( with Lionel Hampton, 1945)
• Chord a Rebop (1946 )
• Coun't basement (1956 )
• Mighty High (1959 )
• Play Chords (1966 )
• More Chords (1969 ) MPS 15032
• Illinois Jacquet with Milt and Jo (1974 )
• Milt Buckner & Marcel Zanini Blues and Bounce! (1976)