Milt Buckner

Milton Brent "Milt" Buckner (10 July 1915 – 27 July 1977) was an American jazz pianist and organist, originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He was orphaned as a child, but an uncle in Detroit (trombone player John Tobias) taught him to play. Buckner pioneered the parallel chords style which influenced Red Garland, George Shearing, Bill Evans, and Oscar Peterson.

He first played in Detroit with the McKinney Cotton Pickers and then with Cab Calloway. In 1941 he joined Lionel Hampton's big band, and for the next seven years served as its pianist and staff arranger. He led a short-lived big band of his own for two years, but then returned to Hampton's in 1950. In 1952 he formed his own trio, concentrating on the Hammond organ. He often played in Europe in the late 60's.

Buckner pioneered the use of the electric organ. He died in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of sixty-two.

Buckner's brother, Ted Buckner, was a jazz saxophonist.

Discography

 * Vibe Boogie (with L. Hampton, 1945)
 * Chord a Rebop (idem, 1946)
 * Rockin' with Milt (1954)
 * Rockin' Hammond
 * Count Basement (1956)
 * Mighty High (Argo, 1959)
 * Please Mr. Organ Player (1960)
 * Midnight Mood
 * Play Chords (1966)
 * More Chords (1969)
 * Rockin' Again (1972)
 * Green Onions (with Roy Gaines on guitar) 1975

As sideman
With Illinois Jacquet
 * Go Power! (Cadet, 1966)
 * The King! (Prestige, 1968)
 * The Soul Explosion (Prestige, 1969)
 * Illinois Jacquet with Milt and Jo (1974)