Five-Star Collection... Milt Hinton

Milt Hinton

East Coast Jazz /5

Milt Hinton is likely the most prolifically recorded musician in the history of jazz. His 70-year career yielded a discography that extends from the early '30s through the '90s. Along the way he performed with virtually every significant jazz innovator from Louis Armstrong to John Coltrane. "The Judge", as Hinton was fondly known in the jazz community, set a remarkable standard for his instrument, anchoring innumerable rhythm sections with his rock solid timekeeping while displaying a beautiful tone and inventive melodic sensibilities on the ballads. Hinton once modestly attributed his success as an accompanist to having enough humility to make somebody else sound good!

This 1955 Bethlehem album marked Hinton's first important recording as a leader, a role he had briefly toyed with in the late '40s on some obscure sides for Keynote and Staff. The musicians assembled here were all used to working together as the Tony Scott Quartet. The original liner notes' references to "A. J. Sciacca" are confusing, as this was actually clarinetist Tony Scott recording under a pseudonym. His given name was Anthony Sciacca. Scott's work fell into undeserved obscurity after he left the U.S. in 1959. He eventually settled in Italy. Drummer Osie Johnson was, along with Hinton, one of the most prolific studio musicians of the era, and he remained busy as both a drummer and arranger until his death in 1966. Pianist Dick Katz rounds out the group with an intriguing style that melds traditional influences with the innovations of the modernists. As an added bonus, a never before released alternate take of "Milt To The Hilt" can be heard on this reissue.

From the opening bars of "Mean To Me", Milt Hinton dominates these proceedings with his powerful yet deft technique and inimitable sound. The '50s witnessed a plethora of great jazz bassists, yet despite the fact that Hinton was already an established giant in the early swing era (before his friend Jimmy Blanton revolutionized the scope of this instrument), it is clear that he remained a force to be reckoned with. He led another date for Victor the month after this Bethlehem session, but wouldn't do so again for nearly a decade. Instead, he continued as a stellar sideman and also pursued his interest in jazz photography, eventually publishing two acclaimed volumes of his work. Milt Hinton died at the age of 90 in New York on December 19, 2000.

*Joseph F. Laredo (from the supplemental liner notes)* 

At the age of 40, Milt Hinton finally has his first LP under his own leadership, and it’s a magnificent quartet session. With Milt are pianist Dick Katz, drummer Osie Johnson, and clarinetist A. J. Sciacca (who came in third in last year's Down Beat readers' poll under another name). Katz, a much underrated pianist who plays with expressive economy and an allergy to cliches, is fine, and Johnson is a model of tasteful accompaniment. Sciacca plays with unexcelled jazz feeling, conception, and tone, including some wonderfully warm bass clarinet. Hinton comes through all the way with his characteristic full sound, swinging imagination and his contagious joy in living and playing.

There are too many highlights for detailed comment. The set is best summarized as a wailer with great emotional excitement. The originals are by Hinton, Katz, and Tony Scott. My only quarrel is with engineer Tom Dowd, who could have given the solo bass clearer, sharper definition. Firstrate notes by Bill Simon. This is labeled Vol. 5 of Bethlehem's East Coast Jazz series.

*Nat Hentoff (Down Beat, April 20, 1955 [5 stars])*

1 - Mean To Me

(Turk, Ahlert)

2 - Pick 'N Pat

(Hinton)

3 - Over The Rainbow

(Harburg, Arlen)

4 - Milt To The Hilt

(Scott)

5 - Don't Blame Me

(Fields, McHugh)

6 - Katz' Meow (A Canon for Cats)

(Katz)

7 - Upstairs With Milt

(Hinton)

8 - Ebony Silhouette

(Payne, Hinton)

9 - Cantus Firmus

(Katz)

10 - These Foolish Things

(Link, Strachey, Marvell)

11 - Milt To The Hilt (alternate take)

(Scott)

Tony Scott [as A.J. Sciacca] (clarinet, bass clarinet), Dick Katz (piano),

Milt Hinton (bass), Osie Johnson (drums).

Recorded in New York City, January 20, 1955