Mills Blue Rhythm Band

Drummer Willie Lynch assembled the ensemble in 1930 under the name Blue Rhythm Band. Operating at times as the Coconut Grove Orchestra, the unit supplied accompaniment for Louis Armstrong on several recordings. Irving Mills took over management in 1931 and oversaw the change to Mills Blue Rhythm Band. After Lynch departed later that year, Baron Lee directed the group until Lucky Millinder assumed leadership in 1934. Between 1931 and 1937 the orchestra maintained an active recording schedule whose entire output later appeared on five Classics CDs. Although the band never achieved broad popularity or established a signature sound, the discs preserve numerous strong performances. Key players included pianist Edgar Hayes, altoist Charlie Holmes, tenor saxophonist Joe Garland, and drummer O’Neil Spencer; by 1934 the roster also featured trumpeter Red Allen, trombonist J.C. Higginbotham, and clarinetist Benny Bailey. Subsequent lineups added altoist Tab Smith, pianist Billy Kyle, and trumpeters Charlie Shavers and Harry “Sweets” Edison. The orchestra disbanded in 1938, after which Lucky Millinder organized his own big band.