Howard McGhee

Howard McGhee, a renowned trumpeter of both the big band and be-bop eras, also was a leading figure and mentor on the New York jazz scene in the 1960's and 1970's.

Born in Oklahoma in 1918, and raised in Detroit, McGhee gained attention in his youth in the big bands of Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnet, and, notably, Andy Kirk. Settling in Los Angeles in the 1940's and working in Coleman Hawkins small group, McGhee became a major player in California, recording with musicians ranging from Lester Young to R&B bands.

When Bird, Charlie Parker, famously stayed in LA in 1946 after Dizzy and his group returned to New York, McGhee became a key companion and an important figure in the history of bebop jazz.

McGhee also played with Machito’s Afro-Cuban band, with Milt Jackson, Jazz At The Philharmonic, and had many other significant associations.

In the 1950's, among other credits, he recorded for Bethlehem Records and performed regularly in James Moody’s working group.

Over the last decades of his life, McGhee made records with Phineas Newborn, Teddy Edwards and other prominent figures, which we will hear on the program. “Maggie”, as he was known, also led his own big band, and he was active in community events with the St. Peter’s Church jazz ministry.

McGhee died in 1987 at the age of 69.

originally broadcast February 10, 2019