Billy Mackel

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.