Jackie Mclean

Jackie McLean (1931-2006) was a world-renowned pioneering American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, educator and community activist. Born in New York City, McLean began his musical journey at an early age, quickly establishing himself as a prodigious talent in the vibrant 1950s Bebop jazz scene. With a distinctive style marked by fiery improvisations and a penchant for pushing boundaries, and as a protegé of the great Charlie”Bird” Parker, he collaborated with jazz luminaries like Miles Davis, Charles Mingus . McLean’s discography, including seminal albums like “Bluesnik” and “Let Freedom Ring,” showcases his innovative approach to harmony and melody. Beyond performing, he was a dedicated educator leaving an indelible mark on the world of jazz, education and community activism establishing The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School, University of Hartford and in spearheading the founding of the Artist Collective, Inc.. Jackie McLean’s contributions to jazz continue to resonate, and his legacy lives on through the musicians he inspired.