The 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 same 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 New York. 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 became one of the more prominent black bands of the day. This is often attributed to the lack of a single identifable leader, and Irving Mills' preference to have the band perform an understudy role. Many of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band's recordings are now considered jazz classics by collectors.
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.
Some tunage:
They satisfy
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
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 same 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 New York. 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 became one of the more prominent black bands of the day. This is often attributed to the lack of a single identifable leader, and Irving Mills' preference to have the band perform an understudy role. Many of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band's recordings are now considered jazz classics by collectors.
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.
Some tunage:
They satisfy
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
Straddle the fence
Levee down low
Heebie Jeebies
Moanin'
Blues in my heart
I can't get along without my baby
Minnie the moocher
Futuristic jungleism
Blue flame
Red devil
Moonlight fiesta
Stardust (yeah, I found another version only AFTER I posted the "Stardust" list)
Stardust (yeah, I found another version only AFTER I posted the "Stardust" list)
Low down on the bayou
Poor Minnie the moocher
Black and tan fantasy
Sugar blues
Minnie the moocher 2
Moanin'
Moanin' 2
Low down on the bayou 2
Minnie the moocher 3
Heat waves (as Billy Banks and the Blue Rhythm Boys)
Shine on harvest moon (as Carter and King's Jazzing Orch.)
Love is just around the corner (as Harlem Hot Shots w/ Wingy Manone)
March winds, April showers (as Harlem Hot Shots w/ Wingy Manone)
Feeling gay
In a sentimental mood
Love is just around the corner (as Harlem Hot Shots w/ Wingy Manone)
March winds, April showers (as Harlem Hot Shots w/ Wingy Manone)
Feeling gay
In a sentimental mood
Let's have a jubilee
Reefer man
Savage rhythm
Smoke rings
Blue rhythm
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