Milt Jackson on playing with big bands.

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Milt Jackson discusses musical integrity versus commercial success.

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Milt Jackson discusses his ability as a songwriter.

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Q: “It was in a big band that you first were noticed around New York with Dizzy’s band that really was an introduction to you to a wide audience. Was it hard for you, playing a different instrument, to get into a band? Would it have been easier if you had been a saxophone player?”

A: “No, personally, I wound up just playing parts in the set. Example, this way gave me the advantage of … the only part that vibes could play really more or less in the band is as a solo. Because it wasn’t geared for part of the band. Because, in that kind of a context, it will be drowned out completely anyway. So it had to take on the role of soloist or frontline instrument.