Jackie McLean

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New York City (1931 – 2006)

John Lenwood (Jackie) McLean (May 17, 1931 – March 31, 2006; some sources give 1932 as his year of birth) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and educator, born in New York City. His father, John Sr., who died in 1939, played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw’s orchestra. After his father’s death, his musical education was continued by his godfather, by his stepfather, who owned a record store, and by several noted teachers. He also received informal tutoring from neighbours Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Charlie Parker. During high school he played in a band with Kenny Drew, Sonny Rollins, and Andy Kirk, Jr. (the tenor saxophonist son of Andy Kirk).

He recorded with Miles Davis, on Davis’ Dig album, when he was 19 years old. Rollins played on the same album. As a young man McLean also recorded with Gene Ammons, Charles Mingus, George Wallington, and as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (he reportedly joined the Jazz Messengers after being punched by the notoriously violent Mingus and, fearing for his life, stabbing him in self-defence). His early recordings as leader were in the hard bop school. He later became an exponent of modal jazz without abandoning his foundation in hard bop. Throughout his career he was known for his distinctive tone (often described with such adjectives as withering, piercing, or searing), his slightly sharp pitch, and a strong foundation in blues.

Tagged as:

jazz, saxophone, hard bop, free jazz, alto sax
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Top Tracks

1	Love and Hate full track	166
2	Kahlil the Prophet full track	161
3	Soul	90
4	Greasy full track	85
5	Appointment In Ghana full track	63
6	Riff Raff full track	48
7	Melody For Melonae full track	46
8	Capuchin Swing full track	45
9	Rene full track	44
10	Soft Blue full track	37
11	Let's Face the Music and Dance full track	27
12	Omega full track	26
13	I'll Keep Loving You full track	25
14	Abstraction full track	24
15	Don't Blame Me full track	23

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McSplivens wrote:
April 2009

The sugar-free saxophonist...

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tedsares wrote:
March 2009

Jackie and Jug together!!!!!!!!!!!! The best

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tedsares wrote:
March 2009

Oh yeah!

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justinmiller87 wrote:
February 2009

Great jazz. Definitely love it. I'll be picking up some more from him.

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MirkoFait wrote:
February 2009

one of my favourite... ;)

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xbountyhunterx wrote:
December 2008

awesome

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jhawks wrote:
September 2008

I dig it.

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frederickellis wrote:
September 2008

Thanks to "LAST FM" for recommending -Jackie McLean-frederickellis

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jpak wrote:
September 2008

incredible bop musician for sure

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add_den wrote:
August 2008

best blue note tenure ever

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pyramis wrote:
December 2007

Oh man, Jackie, didn't know you'd passed. I'll never forget the night you blew your horn at the old Yoshi's in Oakland, not three feet from my face. You showed me what hard bop IS.

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FeelingCynical wrote:
August 2006

r.i.p. jackie

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qanneal3 wrote:
May 2006

What else can I say? The best

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