Mills Blue Rhythm Band
The Mills Blue Rhythm Band was an American big band of the 1930s.
The band was formed in Harlem in 1930, with reedman Bingie Madison the first of its many leaders. It started life 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", "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" and uncredited playing behind Louis Armstrong.
The Mills Blue Rhythm Band were based at The Cotton Club in Manhattan. They worked steadily through the 1930s deputizing for the Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway Orchestras; often taking their undesirable engagements. Violinist Carroll Dickerson briefly fronted the band, followed by Drummer Willie Lynch in 1931 and then compere Jimmy Ferguson (Baron Lee). Edgar Hayes, Eddie Mallory and Dave Nelson all had temporary stints as band leader until Lucky Millinder permanently took over the role in 1934.
Rhythm band
The rhythm band is one of the primary methods of introducing children to playing music. Children are given maracas, tambourines, bells, rhythm sticks and other idiophones with which to beat out a simple rhythm while the teacher plays a song, usually on the piano. Alternatively, the teacher does not play a melody but also a rhythm instrument, so that only rhythms are played. Children can also make a rhythm band "just for fun" for themselves, without a teacher.
If the participants like very loud music, noisemakers like the pea whistle, the recorder head joint, the vuvuzela or the ratchet can be included into the rhythm band, as well as other very loud rhythm instruments like the snare drum.
Rhythm bands are usually found in nursery schools or kindergartens, but of course children also can make a rhythm band at home. Melodic instruments are introduced to the children in the first or second year of regular school. But in principle, a rhythm band can be made in every age, with more difficult rhrythms if the participants are older.
Podcasts:
Mills Blue Rhythm Band
ALBUMS
- Harlem Heat released: 2006
- The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1934-1936 released: 1993
- The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1933-1934 released: 1993
- The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1936-1937 released: 1993
- The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1931-1932 released: 1992
- The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1931 released: 1992
Harlem Heat
Released 2006- Blue Rhythm
- Moanin'
- Blue Flame
- Red Devil
- Sugar Blues
- Futuristic Jungleism
- Heebie Jeebies
- Heat Waves
- The Growl
- Rhythm Spasm
- Wild Waves
- White Lightning
- Ol' Yazoo
- Weary Traveller
- Jazz Martini
- Love's Serenade
- Harlem After Midnight
- Drop Me Off in Harlem
- Dancing Dogs
- African Lullaby
- Harlem Heat
- There's Rhythm in Harlem
- Barrelhouse
- Algiers Stomp
- Ride, Red, Ride
The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1934-1936
Released 1993- Blue (interlude)
- A Rainbow Filled With Music
- Devil in the Moon
- Back Beats
- Spitfire
- Brown Sugar Mine
- Ride, Red, Ride
- Harlem Heat
- Once to Every Heart
- Congo Caravan
- There's Rhythm in Harlem
- Tallahassee
- Waiting in the Garden
- Dinah Lou
- Cotton
- Truckin'
- Blue Mood
- E Flat Stride
- Broken Dreams of You
- Yes Yes
- Shoe Shine Boy
- Midnight Ramble
- Red Rhythm
- Everything Is Still Okay
The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1933-1934
Released 1993- Ridin' in Rhythm
- Weary Traveller
- Buddy's Wednesday Outing
- Harlem After Midnight
- Jazz Martini
- Feelin' Gay
- Break It Down
- Kokey Joe
- Love's Serenade
- Harlem After Midnight
- Drop Me Off in Harlem
- Reaching for the Cotton Moon
- The Stuff Is Here and It's Mellow
- The Growl
- Swingin' in E Flat
- Lat's Have a Jubilee
- Out of a Dream
- African Lullaby
- Solitude
- Dancing Dogs
- Love's Serenade
- Keep the Rhythm Going
- Like a Bolt From the Blue
The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1936-1937
Released 1993- Jes' Natch'Ully Lazy (I Was Born That Way)
- St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm
- Merry-Go-Round
- Until the Real Thing Comes Along
- In a Sentimental Mood
- Carry Me Back to Green Pastures
- Balloonacy
- Barrelhouse
- The Moon Is Grinning at Me
- Showboat Shuffle
- Big John's Special
- Mr. Ghost Goes to Town
- Callin' Your Stuff
- Algiers Stomp
- Blue Rhythm Fantasy
- Prelude to a Stomp
- Rhythm Jam
- Jungle Madness
- The Lucky Swing
- Please Pity My Heart
- Let's Get Together
- Jammin' for the Jackpot
- The Image of You
- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
- Camp Meeting Jambroree
The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1931-1932
Released 1992- Savage Rhythm
- I'm Sorry I Made You Blue
- Every Time I Look at You
- Snake Hips
- The Scat Song
- Heat Waves
- Doin' the Shake
- The Scat Song
- Cabin in the Cotton
- Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day
- The Growl
- Mighty Sweet
- Rhythm Spasm
- Swanee Lullaby
- White Lightning
- Wild Waves
- Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia
- You Gave Me Everything but Love
- Old Yazoo
- Reefer Man
- Jazz Cocktail
- Smoke Rings
The Chronological Classics: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1931
Released 1992- They Satisfy
- Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
- Straddle the Fence
- Levee Low Down
- Moanin'
- Blues in My Heart
- Minnie the Moocher
- Minnie the Moocher
- Blue Rhythm
- Blue Flame
- Red Devil
- Stardust
- (Poor) Minnie the Moocher
- Black and Tan Fantasy
- Sugar Blues
- Low Down on the Bayou
- Futuristic Jungleism
- Moanin'
- I Can't Get Along Without My Baby
- Moanin'
- Low Down on the Bayou
- Blue Rhythm
- Heebie Jeebies
- Minnie the Moocher
