|
 The
Mills Blue Rhythm Band was a fine big band orchestra that recorded
several outstanding sides during it's relatively brief existence
(1930-1938).
The band was originally formed in 1930 by drummer Willie Lynch as the
Blue Rhythm Band. In 1931 Irving Mills became the band's manager.
At the time Mills also managed Duke Ellington's Orchestra and the band,
renamed the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, often "subbed" for Ellington and Cab
Calloway's orchestras.
The band worked steadily throughout the 1930's, recorded over 150
sides, and played many famous locations such as the Cotton Club and the
Savoy Ballroom.
Partly as a result of Irving Mills desire not to have the band
compete with Ellington and the lack of a consistent leader, the band never
caught on with the public or developed it's own personality. But many
of the bands recordings really swing hard, and are certainly worth adding to
your music library! The band often featured many fine soloists, to
include:
◊ Henry "Red" Allen, trumpet; featured on the band's very fast
recording of "Ride Red Ride" (300+ bpm!).
◊ Edgar Hayes (born in Lexington, KY in 1904!), piano and arranger.
Hayes left the Mills Blue Rhythm in 1937 and formed his own very fine band.
It's worth noting that Hayes'
band recorded the original version of "In the Mood"
in February 1938, eighteen months before Glenn Miller's cover version was
released (c. August 1939). Hayes' version of "In the Mood"
swings a lot harder than Glenn Miller's more commercially oriented version.
It is a shame that Hayes' version of "In the Mood" is seldom
ever heard at swing dances (except at Hepcats events!).
◊ Joe
Garland, saxophone and arranger. Garland is credited with writing both
the Edgar Hayes and Glenn Miller versions of "In the Mood", in addition to
Les Brown's "Leap Frog".
◊ Lucky Millinder, leader. Millinder took over as leader of the
Mills Blue Rhythm band in 1934 and
remained until the band disbanded in 1938. In 1940 Millinder formed
his own orchestra and the Lucky Millinder Orchestra enjoyed a modicum of
success through the early 1950's, although by the mid 40's the band was
moving to the style of music that came to be known as "rhythm & blues".
The jump blues artists Benjamin "Bullmoose" Jackson and Ruth Brown both were
members of the band. And the great jump blues artist Wynonie Harris
scored his first hit record with the band, "Who Threw the Whiskey in the
Well".
Some of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band's best recordings include "Harlem Heat", "Mr. Ghost Goes to
Town", "There's Rhythm in Harlem" (which has elements of the
yet to be written "In the Mood"), "Yes! Yes!", "Barrellhouse",
"Calling Your Bluff", among many
others.
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