Early Life and Career
Richard Allen “Blue” Mitchell was an American trumpeter and composer who worked in jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk. He recorded albums as a leader and sideman for Riverside, Mainstream Records, and Blue Note. Mitchell was born and raised in Miami, Florida, United States. He began playing trumpet in high school, with the nickname “Blue”. After high school, he played in the rhythm & blues ensembles of Paul Williams, Earl Bostic, and Chuck Willis. He returned to Miami and was heard by Cannonball Adderley, with whom he recorded for Riverside Records in New York in 1958. Mitchell then joined the Horace Silver Quintet, playing with tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Roy Brooks. Mitchell stayed with Silver’s group until the band’s break-up in 1964, after which Mitchell formed a group with members from the Silver quintet, substituting the young pianist Chick Corea for Silver and replacing Brooks, who had fallen ill, with drummer Al Foster. This group produced a number of records for Blue Note. It disbanded in 1969, after which Mitchell joined and toured with Ray Charles until 1971. From 1971 to 1973 Mitchell performed with John Mayall, appearing on Jazz Blues Fusion and subsequent albums. From the mid-1970s, he recorded and worked as a session man in the genres noted previously, performed with the big band leaders Louie Bellson, Bill Holman, and Bill Berry, and was the principal soloist for Tony Bennett and Lena Horne. Other band leaders Mitchell recorded with are Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Philly Joe Jones, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Johnny Griffin, Al Cohn, Dexter Gordon, and Jimmy Smith.
The Final Performance
Mitchell performed with the Harold Land quintet until he was forced to retire from playing in October of 1978 due to health issues. He continued to freelance in this multifaceted fashion until his premature death.
Blue Mitchell Cause of Death
Blue Mitchell died on May 21, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 49. The cause of death was cancer. His death marked the end of a remarkable career in the music industry, leaving behind a rich legacy of jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk music. His contributions to the music industry continue to be celebrated and his music continues to inspire musicians around the world.
Conclusion
Blue Mitchell’s death was a great loss to the music industry. His music and his contributions to various genres will always be remembered. His life serves as a reminder of the impact one individual can have on the world of music. His death due to cancer is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. His music lives on, continuing to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world. Blue Mitchell’s cause of death may have been cancer, but his music and legacy will never die.
