Milt Hinton Exhibit

Milt Hinton, affectionately known as “The Judge,” was one of the most respected and versatile bassists in jazz history. Born in Mississippi in 1910 and raised in Chicago, Hinton became a cornerstone of the great swing bands, most notably spending fifteen years with Cab Calloway’s orchestra. His impeccable time, warm sound, and remarkable musicianship made him equally at home with jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as in the demanding world of New York recording studios. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Hinton appeared on thousands of recordings and became a mentor and friend to generations of musicians. He was also an accomplished photographer whose extraordinary images documented the people, places, and everyday life of the jazz world from an insider’s perspective. Both behind the bass and behind the camera, Milt Hinton preserved and enriched the story of American jazz.