Hinton, Milt(on John; aka the Judge)

Hinton, Milt(on John; aka the Judge), revered jazz bassist; b. Vicksburg, Miss., June 23, 1910. He received his first music lessons from his mother. He learned brass and string bass while at high school in Chicago. His first professional work was with the Boyd Atkins Band, and he later worked with Tiny Parham before playing at the Show Boat Cabaret in Chicago with bands led by Jabbo Smith and Cassino Simpson. He worked with Eddie South in late 1931, was briefly with Erskine Tate, then rejoined Eddie South for a long spell including a tour of Calif, (late 1932). He worked with Zutty Singleton and Fate Marable, then in late 1936 joined Cab Calloway. He remained with Calloway until 1951. (He threw the spitball that got Gillespie fired but did not admit it until years later.) He then did extensive freelance work in N.Y. He worked for two months with Count Basie, later with the Louis Armstrong All Stars (summer 1953 and again in 1954). From then until the present time he has been one of the busiest session men in N.Y. He visited Paris in November 1966, and continues to play jazz dates. He appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in 1969, and at the House of Sounds Festival (Washington, D.C., September 1971). He maintained a very busy schedule since the 1970s, including overseas tours with Pearl Bailey, Bing Crosby, etc. He has also worked with Lionel Hampton, Terry Gibbs, Jimmy Rushing, Branford Marsalis, Buddy DeFranco, and many others. He also worked and recorded with Bran-ford Marsalis in the late 1980s.

His wife Mona usually accompanies him. An accomplished photographer, he has had several exhibitions of his work presented. In addition, two books of his jazz photos, Bass Lines (reminiscences) and Over Time, were published in 1991. He also conducted several interviews with Danny Barker, Teddy Wilson, Quentin Jackson and Jo Jones for the JOHP/IJS. A talented bassist who plays expertly in many styles, Hinton is impressive not only for his longevity but his continued inventiveness. Seemingly ageless, he continues to perform and record prolifically.

Discography

M. H. Quartet (1955); M. H (1955); Basses Loaded (1955); Rhythm Section (1956); Modern Art of Jazz (1956); Trio (1977); Judge’s Decision (1986); Old Man Time (1989); Laughing at Life (1994).

—John Chilton/Lewis Porter