Jackie McLean
Biography
Jackie McLean has long had his own sound, played slightly sharp and with great intensity; he is recognizable within two notes. McLean was one of the few bop-oriented players of the early '50s who explored free jazz in the '60s, widening his emotional range and drawing from the new music qualities that fit his musical personality.
The son of guitarist John McLean (who played guitar with Tiny Bradshaw), Jackie started on alto when he was 15. As a teenager he was friends with such neighbors as Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, and Sonny Rollins. He made his recording debut with Miles Davis in 1951 and the rest of the decade could be considered his apprenticeship. McLean worked with George Wallington, Charles Mingus, and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1956-1958). He also participated on a string of jam session-flavored records for Prestige and New Jazz which, due to the abysmal pay and his developing style, he later disowned. Actually they are not bad but pale in comparison to McLean's classic series of 21 Blue Note albums (1959-1967). On sessions such as One Step Beyond and Destination Out, McLean really stretches and challenges himself; this music is quite original and intense yet logical.
Selected Discography
4, 5 And 6
1956
so many out there sound the same...with absolute distinction you know Jackie McClean, Phil Woods, Dexter Gordon and Michael Brecker from note one! A giant, I saw McClean in live performance and his total devotion and focus to the music and performance remain a highlight of my many musical adventures along with the time I saw Phil Woods, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker...al l idols of mine that I waited a lifetime to see in person...wha t giants!!! And Jackie was one of them...This is m
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Why don't pandora have Jackie's album Called 'One Step Beyond'? To me, this is the best work he ever did. The Album was recorded in 1954? He did a run using the chromatic scale that was phenomenal. It was on the track called Frankenstien . Pandora, get with the program!
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Jackie was a good friend of my brother, Sam. I grew to appreciate his music while studying at the University of Hartford and interacting with Jackie at the Artist Collective. We enjoyed playing ping pong and fitted it into our schedules on a daily basis. Jackie could relate to most situations. He provided guidance in helping me overcome my drug addiction. He was truly a man of many talents, but above all, was the greatest alto sax player I ever heard.
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The only other alto sax player that comes to mind who I can tell within a few notes is Eric Dolphy. Destination Out! is one of my all time faves from him.
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few altoist have such a distinct sound as jackie and he must remain important in the history of the saxophone,as well as jazz.
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