Among the first bebop jazz trumpeters (along with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Idrees Sulieman), Howard McGhee was known for his fast fingers and very high notes, but is rarely credited for the influence he extended to younger trumpeters in an era when the instrument had come back into vogue among students of jazz. Despite a troubled life and career, Howard McGhee remains a huge inspiration for younger jazz musicians, students and fans alike. The collection here brings together eight of the very finest albums the great man ever released or played on, making it the ideal go-to- compilation for collectors and fans of this pioneering, albeit hugely underrated, musician.
– Disc 1 –
1 Who Killed Cock Robin
2 Wigglin
3 Music Forever
4 Time to Smile
5 Theme for Sister Salvation
6 Jim Dunn’s Dilemma
7 O.D. (Overdose)
8 Dusty Blue
9 The Sound of Music
10 I Concentrate on You
11 Sleep Talk
12 Park Avenue Petite
13 Flyin’ Colors
14 With Malice Towards None
15 Groovin’ High
16 A Cottage for Sale
– Disc 2 –
1 Together Again
2 You Stepped Out of a Dream
3 Up There
4 Perhaps
5 Misty
6 Sandy
7 Demon Chase
8 Willow Weep for Me
9 Softly As in a Morning Sunrise
10 Sunset Eyes
11 Maggie’s Back in Town
12 Summertime
13 Brownie Speaks
– Disc 3 –
1 Sharp Edge
2 Shades of Blue
3 Cool
4 The Day After
5 Topside
6 Arbee
7 Ill Wind
8 My Delight
9 Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out
10 Lonely Town
11 Secret Love
12 Why Run Away
13 Canadian Sunset
14 Blue Bell
15 Tenderly
16 Fly Me to the Moon
17 Satin Doll
18 Blue Duende
– Disc 4 –
1 Jazz with a Beat
2 Muggin’ McGhee
3 House Warmin’
4 Jivin’ Around
5 The Jazz Twist
6 One for Nat
7 Bunny Boo
8 Moody Flooty
9 It Might As Well Be Spring
10 Disappointed
11 Sister Sadie
12 Little Buck
13 Home Fries