MILLS BLUE RHYTHM BAND

 

The Mills Blue Rhythm Band was an American big band of the 1930s.

The band was formed in Harlem in 1930, with reedman Bingie Madison the first of its many leaders. It started life as the Coconut Grove Orchestra, changing to Mills Blue Rhythm Band when Irving Mills became its manager in 1931. At various times the group was known as the "Blue Rhythm Band", "Blue Ribbon Band", "Blue Rhythm Boys", "The Blue Racketeers", "Earl Jackson's Musical Champions", "Earl Jackson and his Orchestra", "Duke Wilson and his Ten Blackberries", "King Carter's Royal Orchestra", "Mills Music Masters", "Harlem Hot Shots" and uncredited playing behind Louis Armstrong.

The Mills Blue Rhythm Band were based at The Cotton Club in Manhattan. They worked steadily through the 1930s deputizing for the Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway Orchestras; often taking their undesirable engagements. Violinist Carroll Dickerson briefly fronted the band, followed by drummer Willie Lynch in 1931 and then compere Jimmy Ferguson (Baron Lee). Edgar Hayes, Eddie Mallory and Dave Nelson all had temporary stints as band leader until Lucky Millinder permanently took over the role in 1934.

The band recorded 150 sides for a variety of labels including Brunswick, Columbia, Victor, the ARC stable of labels (including Oriole, Perfect, Regal, Romeo, Banner, Melotone, Domino), Variety, and Vocalion. Despite success with a few hit records (including "Truckin'" and "Ride, Red, Ride") and a strong lineup of talented soloists, the group never attained the prominence of their peers. This is often attributed to the lack of a single identifiable leader, and Irving Mills' preference to have the band perform an understudy role.

The group disbanded in 1938. Millinder joined Bill Doggett's band before reforming it into his own orchestra in 1940

Irving Mills revived the Mills Blue Rhythm Band name for two recording sessions in 1947 under the guidance of Van Alexander. The only original band member at either of the 1947 sessions was trumpeter Charlie Shavers.

Members

Red Allen – trumpet

Hayes Alvis – double bass

Ed Anderson – trumpet

Harold Arnold – tenor saxophone

Buster Bailey – clarinet

Billy Banks

Danny Barker – guitar

Alfred Cobbs – trombone

Carroll Dickerson – violin

Harry "Sweets" Edison – trumpet

Joe Garland – tenor saxophone, arrangements

Edgar Hayes – piano

Shelton Hemphill – trumpet

J. C. Higginbotham – trombone

Alex Hill – piano

Charlie Holmes – alto saxophone

Benny James – guitar

Elmer James – bass

Wardell Jones – trumpet

Billy Kyle – piano

Baron Lee (Jimmy Ferguson)

Lawrence Lucie – guitar

Willie Lynch – drums

Bingie Madison – clarinet, tenor saxophone

Eddie Mallory – trumpet

Castor McCord – saxophone

Ted McCord – saxophone

Gene Mikell – clarinet, alto saxophone

Lucky Millinder – bandleader

Frankie Newton – trumpet

Lester Nichols – drums

Wilbur de Paris – trombone

Charlie Shavers – trumpet

Tab Smith – alto saxophone

O'Neill Spencer – drums

Bob Stephens

Carl Warwick – trumpet

George Washington – trombone

Crawford Wethington – clarinet – alto saxophone – baritone saxophone

Harry White – trombone

Ben Williams – tenor saxophone

Eddie Williams – tenor saxophone

John Williams – double bass