Milt Buckner
Milton Brent Buckner, known as Milt Buckner, was an influential American jazz pianist and organist born on July 10, 1915, in St. Louis, Missouri. He became a key figure in the jazz world, particularly known for popularizing the Hammond organ in the early 1950s. Buckner pioneered the parallel chords style, which left a lasting impact on notable musicians such as Red Garland, George Shearing, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson.
After the death of his parents when he was nine, Milt and his brother Ted, who would also become a jazz musician, were sent to Detroit. There, they were adopted by members of the Earl Walton band. Milt began studying piano at age ten and started writing arrangements for the band by fifteen. His early career included performances with McKinney's Cotton Pickers and Cab Calloway. In 1941, he joined Lionel Hampton's big band, serving as pianist and staff arranger for several years.
Buckner formed his own trio in 1952, where he further explored the electric Hammond organ, a move that significantly influenced the jazz and R&B scenes. He frequently performed in Europe during the late 1960s and continued to record until shortly before his death. Milt Buckner passed away from a heart attack on July 27, 1977, in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 62. His legacy endures through his recordings and the musicians he inspired.
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