Mills Blue Rhythm Band
22,304 plays (6,728 listeners)
New York, United States (1931 – 1938)
The Mills Blue Rhythm Band was an American big band of the 1930s.
The band was formed in Harlem, New York City in 1930, with reedman Bingie Madison the first of its many leaders. It was temporarily known 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”, “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 were the backup band for when the Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway Orchestras were touring. Drummer Willie Lynch led the band until 1931, when Baron Lee took over as leader. Edgar Hayes, Eddie Mallory and Dave Nelson all had temporary stints as band leader until Lucky Millinder took over the role in 1934.
The band recorded 150 sides for a variety labels including Brunswick, Columbia, Victor, Oriole and Melotone. Despite success with a few hit records (including “Truckin’” and “Ride, Red, Ride”) and a lineup of talented soloists, the group never became one of the more popular 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 band was formed in Harlem, New York City in 1930, with reedman Bingie Madison the first of its many leaders. It was temporarily known 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”, “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 were the backup band for when the Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway Orchestras were touring. Drummer Willie Lynch led the band until 1931, when Baron Lee took over as leader. Edgar Hayes, Eddie Mallory and Dave Nelson all had temporary stints as band leader until Lucky Millinder took over the role in 1934.
The band recorded 150 sides for a variety labels including Brunswick, Columbia, Victor, Oriole and Melotone. Despite success with a few hit records (including “Truckin’” and “Ride, Red, Ride”) and a lineup of talented soloists, the group never became one of the more popular 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.
Top Albums
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Mills Blue Rhythm Band: 1933-1936
Mills Blue Rhythm Band
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1933-1934
Mills Blue Rhythm BandBuy- Download Album
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1934-1936
Mills Blue Rhythm BandBuy- Download Album
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Complete Jazz Series 1931 - 1932
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Top Tracks
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Truckin'
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| 2 |
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Dinah Lou
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| 3 |
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African Lullaby
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Algiers Stomp
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St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm
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Let's Have A Jubilee
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| 8 |
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Solitude
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| 9 |
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Back Beats
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| 10 |
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Harlem Heat
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Swingin' in E Flat
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Congo Caravan
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| 14 |
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Drop Me Off In Harlem
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Recent Activity
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brass-power added Mills Blue Rhythm Band to brass-power’s library. Wednesday evening
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epi_gee tagged Mills Blue Rhythm Band with 30s, swing, jazz and one other tag. 15 days ago
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epi_gee, TheWoood, Amokgeist and 7 other people added Mills Blue Rhythm Band to their libraries. 15 days ago
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aykutalp connected Mills Blue Rhythm Band to the group Tranvía Rojo. October 2009
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FijneWIET, booklovinman and 2 other people added Mills Blue Rhythm Band to their libraries. October 2009
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InstraMental, billgatesmom, rmilstead and 2 other people added Mills Blue Rhythm Band to their libraries. September 2009
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InstraMental tagged Mills Blue Rhythm Band with ‘easy listening’. September 2009
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gringoviejo49, stefstoytchev, Manny51 and 13 other people added Mills Blue Rhythm Band to their libraries. September 2009
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gringoviejo49 tagged Mills Blue Rhythm Band with swing, big band and 30s. September 2009
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sufi17 tagged Mills Blue Rhythm Band with swing, big band and jazz. June 2009
Related Journals
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Harlem broadcast
by Uhwelluh |
4 Dec 2008 | Add comment
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Mills Blue Rhythm Band/Lucky Millinder broadcast
by Uhwelluh |
20 Aug 2008 | Add comment
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Moon songs broadcast
by Uhwelluh |
25 Jun 2008 | Add comment
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