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.
Mills Blue Rhythm Band - 1931 {CC, 660}
01- They Satisfy
02- Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
03- Straddle The Fence
04- Levee Low Down
05- Moanin'
06- Blues In My Heart
07- Minnie The Moocher
08- Minnie The Moocher
09- Blue Rhythm
10- Blue Flame
11- Red Devil
12- Stardust
13- Poor Minnie The Moocher
14- Black And Tan Fantasy
15- Sugar Blues
16- Low Down On The Bayou
17- Futuristic Jungleism
18- Moanin'
19- I Can't Get Along Without My Baby
20- Moanin'
21- Low Down On The Bayou
22- Blue Rhythm
23- Heebie Jeebies
24- Minnie The Moocher
Mills Blue Rhythm Band - 1931-1932 {CC, 676}
01- Savage Rhythm
02- I'm Sorry I Made You Blue
03- Everytime I Look At You
04- Snake Hips
05- The Scat Song
06- Heat Waves
07- Doin' The Shake
08- The Scat Song
09- Cabin In The Cotton
10- Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day
11- The Growl
12- Mighty Sweet
13- Rhythm Spasm
14- Swanee Lullaby
15- White Lightning
16- Wild Waves
17- Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia
18- You Gave Me Everything But Love
19- Old Yazoo
20- Reefer Man
21- Jazz Cocktail
22- Smoke Rings
Mills Blue Rhythm Band - 1933-1934 {CC, 686}
01- Ridin' In Rhythm
02- Weary Traveller
03- Buddy's Wednesday Outing
04- Harlem After Midnight
05- Jazz Martini
06- Feelin' Gay
07- Break It Down
08- Kokey Joe
09- Love's Serenade
10- Harlem After Midnight
11- Drop Me Off In Harlem
12- Reaching For The Cotton Moon
13- The Stuff Is Here (And It's Mellow)
14- The Growl
15- Swingin' In E Flat
16- Lat's Have A Jubilee
17- Out Of A Dream
18- African Lullaby
19- Solitude
20- Dancing Dogs
21- Love's Serenade
22- Keep The Rhythm Going
23- Like A Bolt From The Blue
Mills Blue Rhythm Band - 1934-1936 {CC, 710}
01- Blue Interlude
02- A Rainbow Filled With Music
03- Devil In The Moon
04- Back Beats
05- Spitfire
06- Brown Sugar Mine
07- Ride, Red, Ride
08- Harlem Heat
09- Once To Every Heart
10- Congo Caravan
11- There's Rhythm In Harlem
12- Tallahassee
13- Waiting In The Garden
14- Dinah Lou
15- Cotton
16- Truckin'
17- Blue Mood
18- E Flat Stride
19- Broken Dreams Of You
20- Yes! Yes!
21- Shoe Shine Boy
22- Midnight Ramble
23- Red Rhythm
24- Everything Is Still Okay
Mills Blue Rhythm Band - 1936-1937 {CC, 731}
01- Jes' Natch'ully Lazy (I Was Born That Way)
02- St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm
03- Merry-Go-Round
04- Until The Real Thing Comes Along
05- In A Sentimental Mood
06- Carry Me Back To Green Pastures
07- Balloonacy
08- Barrelhouse
09- The Moon Is Grinning At Me
10- Showboat Shuffle
11- Big John's Special
12- Mr. Ghost Goes To Town
13- Callin' Your Bluff
14- Algiers Stomp
15- Blue Rhythm Fantasy
16- Prelude To A Stomp
17- Rhythm Jam
18- Jungle Madness
19- The Lucky Swing
20- Please Pity My Heart
21- Let's Get Together
22- Jammin' For The Jack-Pot
23- The Image Of You
24- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
25- Camp Meeting Jamboree
