Independent Lens Season 6 Episode 19 Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photographs of Milt Hinton

Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photographs of Milt Hinton is an episode from season 6 of the documentary series Independent Lens. The episode centers around the life and work of jazz musician and photographer Milt Hinton.

Viewers are given a glimpse into Hinton's early life growing up in Mississippi and his eventual move to New York City, where he became a part of the jazz scene as a bassist in the 1930s. Through Hinton's own recollections and interviews with fellow musicians and friends, the episode explores his prolific career as a musician and his impact on the jazz genre.

But Hinton's talents were not limited to music. The episode also delves into his passion for photography and his work as a documentarian of jazz history. Hinton amassed a vast collection of photographs that captured the essence of the jazz world, including intimate shots of some of the greatest musicians of the era.

In addition to showcasing Hinton's varied talents, the episode touches on the racism and discrimination that Hinton and other Black musicians faced during the height of their careers. Hinton recounts being barred from certain venues and facing violence and threats while on tour in the Jim Crow South. Despite these challenges, Hinton persevered and continued to push boundaries with his music and photography.

Overall, Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photographs of Milt Hinton is a tribute to a multifaceted artist and a celebration of the rich history of jazz. With a mix of interviews, archival footage, and Hinton's own photographs, the episode provides a comprehensive look at a man whose contributions to the world of jazz and photography continue to resonate today.