Milton J. Hinton
American, 1910-2000.

Eubie Blake, White House, Washington, D.C.
c. 1978
16”x 20”
Gelatin Silver Print
Black and white photograph
Purchased with funding from the State of New York. Percent for Art Program, 2001.

Milton J. Hinton was an American double bassist and photographer. He was regarded as the Dean of American jazz bass players. He had several nicknames, including “Sporty” from his years in Chicago, “Fump” from his time on tour with Cab Calloway, and “The Judge” from the 1950s and beyond. His career as a musician span seven decades. After starting out with Cab Calloway in 1936, he went on to perform and record with some of the most famous jazz artists of all time, including: Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, and Ben Webster. He also became one of the first black musicians to integrate recording studios of the 1950s by backing up stars like Bing Crosby, Barbara Streisand, and Frank Sinatra. As a photographer, he captured fellow musicians and places he travelled to. His photographs provide important insight into why jazz is one of America’s greatest genres. This photograph depicts the jazz musician Eubie Blake performing at the White House for the 25th Anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival. The festival was created 1954 by Elaine and Louis Lorillard to bring jazz to Rhode Island.