• Source: Mills Blue Rhythm Band

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




History


The band was formed in New York City in 1930 by drummer Willie Lynch as the Blue Rhythm Band, and then briefly operated as the Coconut Grove Orchestra. Irving Mills became its manager in 1931 and it subsequently assumed the name Mills Blue Rhythm Band. Compere Jimmy Ferguson (Baron Lee) replaced Lynch. Another brief leader, reeds player Bingie Madison, left at the time of the final name change. Over its lifetime, 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". It accompanied Louis Armstrong on some record sides.
The Mills Blue Rhythm Band were based at The Cotton Club in Harlem. They worked steadily through the 1930s deputizing for the orchestra of Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, often taking their undesirable engagements. Mills managed Ellington and Calloway as well. 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 labels including Brunswick, Columbia, Victor, the ARC stable of labels (including Oriole, Perfect, Regal, Romeo, Banner, Melotone, Domino), Variety, and Vocalion. Although a few of their records became hits (including "Truckin'" and "Ride, Red, Ride") and the MBRB had a lineup of talented soloists, the group never attained the prominence of their peers. This has been attributed to the lack of a single identifiable leader, and Irving Mills' preference to have the band perform an understudy role.
By 1937, the group was billed as Lucky Millinder and his Orchestra and 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 performing 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'Neil 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




References

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• Red Allen
• Charlie Shavers
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• Lucky Millinder
• J. C. Higginbotham
• Harry Edison
• Chronological Classics discography