HINTON, MILT

born June 23, 1910, Vicksburg, Miss., U.S. Milt Hinton. byname of Milton John Hinton, also called The Judge black American jazz musician, a highly versatile bassist who came of age in the swing era and became one of the favourite bassists of post-World War II jazz. Hinton grew up in Chicago, where he began playing bass in high school and then worked with jazz bands in the early to mid-1930s, most notably with violinist Eddie South. He made his reputation as one of the most potent bassists in jazz during 15 years (1936-51) with Cab Calloway's band, in which he became noted for his full tone and rhythmic vigour. He subsequently toured with Louis Armstrong and Count Basie before work with CBS in New York City (1954) led to his second career, in recording and television studios. Apart from frequent work in popular music, Hinton maintained an active jazz career with dixieland, swing, and modern groups, and in the 1970s he taught at Hunter College of the City University of New York. An exceptional photographer, he collected many of his pictures to illustrate his autobiography, Bass Line (1988), written in collaboration with David G. Berger. Over Time (1991) is a book of his photographs.