Davis replaced Fats Navarro in the Eckstine band in September 1946. After playing
at theatres and clubs, the band recorded these sides for the National label in October.
Late in the autumn the band returned to New York and played several more live dates
before breaking up in January 1947. There is little solo space for anyone on these
titles.
The October 12, 1946 issue of Billboard contained the following on page 37:
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5 -- Billy Eckstine is opening at Million Dollar Theatre October
8 after two-week stand at Lincoln Theatre here ending seven days earlier. Eckstine
unveiled new line-up including Hobart Dotson, Miles Davis, Joe Stroud, King Kolax,
trumpets; Albert Riding, Nat Atkins, Carl Smith, Gerald Valentine, trombones;
John Dunjee, Robart [sic] Williams, Jr., Gene Ammons, Martin Van Buren Kelly, Frank
Wess, saxes; Art Blakey, drums; Linton Garner, piano; Connie Wainwright guitar; Bill
McMahon, string bass; Ann Baker, chirper. Eckstine doubles on trumpet and valve
trombone and does vocals.
The same list of musicians appears in an ad in the California Eagle from
around the same time (September 19, page 19).
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