Howard McGhee
Trumpet Solo on
Cheers

About

Howard McGhee closes out the solos on trumpet with half a chorus, following Barney Kessel at approximately 227 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 32-bar AABA form and the key of B♭, the solo navigates the chord changes with purpose. Built on the chord changes of "I Got Rhythm," the harmonic foundation is a familiar one in the jazz repertoire, inviting inventive melodic departures. Coming last in the solo order, McGhee has the task of building on everything that came before while steering the performance back toward the closing head. This larger ensemble from the February 1947 Dial session in Los Angeles reflects the vibrant West Coast bebop scene of the period. Howard plays over the second half of the chorus.

Howard McGhee was 28 to 29 years old at the time.