Richard Allen "Blue" Mitchell (March 13, 1930 – May 21, 1979) was an American musician who played the trumpet and wrote music. He performed in several music styles, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk. He recorded albums as a leader and as a supporting musician for record companies such as Riverside, Mainstream Records, and Blue Note. He is recognized as the most recorded trumpeter who played with a jazz organ, with 27 recordings as a supporting musician in that genre.

Early life

Mitchell was born and grew up in Miami, Florida, United States. He started playing the trumpet when he was 17 years old and was known by the nickname "Blue." His early influences included Dizzy Gillespie, Fatts Navarro, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, and Clifford Brown.

Career

After high school, Blue Mitchell started playing music with local musicians in Miami. At the request of Sam Jones, who sent a telegram, Mitchell joined the touring Paul Williams Orchestra in Detroit. He later said this was his first experience performing with a professional band. In 1952, while on tour, Mitchell traveled through New York, where he made his first recordings. These recordings were later included in a compilation album called Quartet/Quintet/Sextet by Lou Donaldson. After the tour ended, Mitchell stayed in New York and was hired to join Earl Bostic’s touring band from 1952 to 1955.

After his time working with Earl Bostic, in 1955, Blue Mitchell returned to Miami and was heard by saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, who was also from Florida. Adderley recommended Mitchell to Orrin Keepnews, a producer at Riverside Records, who traveled to Miami to listen to Mitchell perform. Impressed, Keepnews signed Mitchell to record several albums for Riverside Records.

In 1958, Mitchell joined the Horace Silver Quintet, playing alongside tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Louis Hayes. Hayes was later replaced by Roy Brooks. Mitchell remained with Silver’s group until the band ended in 1964. After the band broke up, Mitchell formed a new group with members from Silver’s quintet. He replaced Silver with pianist Chick Corea and replaced Brooks with drummer Al Foster. This group recorded many albums for Blue Note Records, with some changes in members over time. The group disbanded in 1969. Mitchell then toured with Ray Charles until 1971.

From 1971 to 1973, Mitchell performed with John Mayall, appearing on the album Jazz Blues Fusion and other recordings. In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles, California. During this time, he recorded music and worked as a studio musician in the genres of jazz, R&B, soul, rock, and funk. He also performed with big band leaders Louie Bellson, Bill Holman, and Bill Berry. Mitchell was the principal soloist for Tony Bennett and Lena Horne.

Death

Mitchell worked together as a leader of a group of five musicians with saxophone player Harold Land in California. He died from cancer on May 21, 1979, when he was 49 years old.