Milt Buckner's animated live style, his bundled soul poised to bound out of the ivory tickler's diminutive frame at any second, came through in explosive bursts of jazz melody. Orphaned in Detroit, he worked his way up through local bands until he reached McKinney's Cotton Pickers. In 1941, the young Buckner joined Lionel Hampton's big band as staff arranger in addition to his piano duties. Inspired by Wild Bill Davis, Buckner would shift his focus to organ, retaining his irreverent jump jazz style. Born without an off button, Buckner died as he lived, collapsing on stage after setting up his organ for a performance with friend Illinois Jacquet. Buckner's legacy includes the "locked hands" style of piano playing developed in tandem with George Shearing.