ProJazz.net

Howard McGhee and Milt Jackson is an album by American jazz trumpeter Howard McGhee with vibraphonist Milt Jackson featuring performances recorded in 1948 and first released on the Savoy label in 1955.

AllMusic Review by Jim Todd:
On this appealing set of bluesy, bop originals and ballad standards the spotlight is on trumpeter McGhee — a contemporary of Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro — more so than vibist Jackson. The release combines two February 1948 sessions. The sound is good, despite occasional dropouts. Both bassists are well served in the mix — the drummers less well. McGhee is comfortable at speed on the up-tempo numbers, including McGhee originals “Flip Lip” and “The Last Word,” and a master ballad stylist on “Talk of the Town,” “Sweet and Lovely,” “I’m in the Mood for Love,” and “The Man I Love.” Jackson, on form throughout the eight tracks on which he performs, contributes succinct, choicely phrased solo statements. In short, this is an unpretentious slice of bebop heaven, particularly attractive to listeners interested in the trumpeter.

Track listing:
All compositions by Howard McGhee except as indicated

“Merry Lee” – 2:04
“Short Life” – 1:57
“Talk of the Town” (Jerry Livingston, Al J. Neiburg, Marty Symes) – 2:50
“Bass C Jam” (Herman Lubinsky) – 2:56
“Flip Lip” – 2:29
“Belle from Bunnycock” – 2:44
“Down Home” – 2:44
“Sweet and Lovely” (Gus Arnheim, Jules LeMare, Harry Tobias) – 2:59
“Fiesta” (M. Daniels) – 2:08
“I’m in the Mood for Love” (Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields) – 2:53
“The Man I Love” (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 2:39
“The Last Word” – 2:20

Personnel:
Howard McGhee – trumpet
Milt Jackson – vibraphone (tracks 1-4 & 7-10)
Billy Eckstine – valve trombone (tracks 5, 6 & 12)
Jimmy Heath – alto saxophone, baritone saxophone (tracks 1-4, 7 & 10)
Kenny Mann – tenor saxophone (tracks 5, 6 & 12)
Will Davis (tracks 1-4 & 7-10), Hank Jones (tracks 5, 6, 11 & 12) – piano
Ray Brown (tracks 5, 6, 11 & 12), Percy Heath (tracks 1-4 & 7-10) – bass
Joe Harris (tracks 1-4 & 7-10), J.C. Heard (tracks 5, 6, 11 & 12) – drums

Released: 1955
Recorded: February 1948
Label: Savoy
MG 12026