* En anglais uniquement
This fine big band was originally formed by drummer
Willie Lynch as the Blue Rhythm Band in 1930 and as the Coconut Grove Orchestra, provided backup to
Louis Armstrong on some records. In 1931,
Irving Mills became their manager and the group was renamed
the Mills Blue Rhythm Band.
Lynch's departure later that year resulted in
Baron Lee fronting the band until
Lucky Millinder took over in 1934. The big band recorded frequently during 1931-1937 (all of the recordings have been reissued on five Classics CDs) and, although the orchestra never really caught on or developed its own personality, its recordings did document many fine performances. Among the sidemen were pianist
Edgar Hayes, altoist
Charlie Holmes,
Joe Garland on tenor, drummer
O'Neil Spencer, and by 1934, trumpeter
Red Allen, trombonist
J.C. Higginbotham, and clarinetist
Benny Bailey. Later editions included altoist
Tab Smith, pianist
Billy Kyle, and trumpeters
Charlie Shavers and
Harry "Sweets" Edison. When the group broke up in 1938,
Lucky Millinder formed his own big band. ~ Scott Yanow