Blue Mitchell music at Amazon
From: Downbeat Magazine
Trumpeter Blue Mitchell seemed to come by his nickname as naturally as he played his horn. His career began in r&b bands in the early '50s, shifted into the jazz arena in the late '50s and '60s, then moved back to its r&b roots during the '70s.
Born March 13, 1930, in Miami, Mitchell began with the Paul Williams band in 1951, then Earl Bostic from 1952-'55 and Red Prysock later in 1955. Settling in New York City, he established his jazz reputation and joined Horace Silver for a 1958-'64 stint. When Silver disbanded, Mitchell took the remaining players of the quintet, including Junior Cook, and formed his own combo. Chick Corea was the pianist early on.
After Mitchell's quintet, which recorded for the Blue Note and Riverside labels, broke up in 1969, the trumpeter joined Ray Charles for a couple of years, then was with the John Mayall blues combo from 1971-'73. He later freelanced in the Los Angeles area until his death from cancer on May 21, 1979. Mitchell's best recorded work is gathered on The Complete Blue Note Blue Mitchell Sessions (1963-'67) on Mosaic. -Will Smith
Blue Mitchell music at Amazon
