
Billy Mackel
Biography
John William Mackel (December 28, 1912 – May 5, 1986) was an American jazz guitarist. Mackel was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He played banjo early in his career, but like many banjoists of his time he switched to guitar. He led his own band early in the 1940s, then joined Lionel Hampton in 1944 and spent the next thirty years with him. In the 1940s he also recorded with Milt Buckner, Arnett Cobb, Herbie Fields, and others, and worked with Billy Williams in the 1960s. He played left-handed.
Bio from Wikipedia
Discography
Records they worked on — most-collected first.

Jingle Bell Jazz
1962

Silver Vibes (With Trombones And Rhythm)
1960

Golden Vibes
1959

À L'Olympia
1956

Lionel Hampton With The Just Jazz All Stars
1955

Lionel Hampton Apollo Hall Concert 1954
1954

History Of Jazz
1978

Vol.6 "Extra Takes" (1941-1949)
1975

Newport Uproar!
1968

Who's Who In The Swinging Sixties
1962

Jazz Poll Winners
1960

Lionel ...Plays Drums, Vibes, Piano
1959

Lionel Hampton Big Band
1955
Credited work
536 releases · 113 albums · active 1950–2025
- Performance · 680
- Other credits · 17
Studios: L'Olympia · Newport Jazz Festival · Apollo Theater-New York City · Studio Condorcet
Frequent collaborators
- Lionel Hampton
- Various
- Lionel Hampton And His Orchestra
- Lionel Hampton And His Jazz Giants
- Dinah Washington
- Lionel Hampton And His All-Star Alumni Big Band
- Lionel Hampton Und Sein Orchester
- Lionel Hampton Big Band
