Just Friends – 1999
Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson
A one-time meeting between two of the top vibraphonists
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Two of the greatest vibraphonists of all time, Milt Jackson (1923-99) and Bobby Hutcherson (1941-2016) never recorded together.
Although obviously very aware of each other, they only appeared together a handful of times, a nearly lost opportunity.
Jackson (along with Terry Gibbs) brought the vibraphone into the bebop era and Hutcherson brought it into the avant-garde in the 1960s while retaining his roots in bop.
In 1999, only a few months before Jackson’s passing, they performed together at a European jazz festival while joined by pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Pierre Boussaguet, and drummer Mickey Roker.
Hutcherson is dazzling during his solo, Jackson is melodic, and the tradeoff between them and Hutcherson’s smiling at Jackson are memorable.
-Scott Yanow
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