Photo: Brianmcmillen / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Jackie McLean is, to my ear, one of the most emotionally honest voices in jazz. His alto tone, sharp, slightly biting, full of urgency, is instantly recognizable and impossible to fake. Beyond his playing, I am struck that he was also a composer, bandleader and dedicated educator, passing the music forward rather than hoarding it. Being elected to the DownBeat Hall of Fame in the year of his death speaks to how deeply he was respected. The NEA Jazz Masters honor only underlines it. For me, McLean represents jazz as both fierce personal expression and generous teaching, a rare and lasting combination.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Jackie McLean
- Name (Japanese)
- ジャッキー・マクリーン
- Reading
- じゃっきー・まくりーん
- Born
- May 17, 1931 – March 31, 2006
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Goat
- Origin
- New York City, New York, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- composer / bandleader / jazz musician / saxophonist / recording artist
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- NEA Jazz Masters
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Jackie McLean born?
May 17, 1931 – March 31, 2006.
Where is Jackie McLean from?
Jackie McLean is from New York City, New York, United States.
What does Jackie McLean do?
Jackie McLean works as composer, bandleader, jazz musician, saxophonist, recording artist.
Composer — see all → · Bandleader — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.