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Mills Blue Rhythm Band

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

The band was formed in New York City, United States, 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 line-up 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1930, Died Ceased 1938

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1931 - 1934

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

Notes: Billed on some Columbia labels as King Carter and his Royal Orchestra, King Carter and his Orchestra, or King Carter's Royal Orchestra.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-34 of 34 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick E36666 10-in. 4/28/1931 Blue rhythm Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Brunswick E36667 10-in. 4/28/1931 Blue flame Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Brunswick E36668 10-in. 4/28/1931 Red devil (Diablo roja) (Fox trot) Artists vary Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Brunswick E36905 10-in. 7/1/1931 Snake hips Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] ; George Morton Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Brunswick E36906 10-in. 7/1/1931 Every time I look at you Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] ; George Morton Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Brunswick E36992 10-in. 7/30/1931 Savage rhythm Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Brunswick E36993 10-in. 7/30/1931 I’m sorry I made you blue Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Brunswick E36994 10-in. 7/30/1931 Ev’ry time I look at you Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Brunswick E36995 10-in. 7/30/1931 Snake hips Blue Rhythm Boys [Mills Blue Rhythm Band] Jazz/dance band Musical group  
(Results 26-34 of 34 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mills Blue Rhythm Band," accessed May 3, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105991.

Mills Blue Rhythm Band. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105991.

"Mills Blue Rhythm Band." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 3 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105991

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