Billy Mitchell (jazz pianist)

Billy Mitchell
Birth name William Allen Mitchell
Born (1943-11-23) November 23, 1943
Tarrytown, New York, United States
Genres Jazz, smooth jazz, swing
Occupation(s) Musician, producer, arranger, author, community activist
Instruments Piano, keyboards
Years active 1970–present
Labels Pausa Records, Vista Records
Website www.billy-mitchell.com

Billy Mitchell (born November 23, 1943) is an American jazz pianist, music producer, composer and author. He is also known for his community work with at-risk youth.

Early life

Mitchell was born November 23, 1943, in Tarrytown, New York,[1] and raised in Buffalo. His father was a Baptist minister and community activist. Mitchell was introduced to the piano as a child by his mother, but resisted all formal instruction. Instead, he learned to play the piano by listening to the music and jazz recordings of the day. Mitchell attended Morehouse College[2] in the early '60s, where he majored in history and political science. Between classes, he would sneak into the college’s music department to play jazz, which was not allowed in the music building. Mitchell joined an off-campus jazz group, performing with a band before an audience for the first time in a local talent show. In search of a career in music, Mitchell moved to Los Angeles in 1970. He formed The Billy Mitchell Trio in the 1970s, which later became The Billy Mitchell Group.[3] The band was active in the 1980s and '90s,performing at clubs and jazz festivals, including the Sedona Jazz Festival.[4]

Early recordings

Billy’s first solo effort, Blue City Jam,[5] was released on Pausa Records in 1984. His second album, Night Theme (1987), captured the funky, urban flavored vibe of the Quiet Storm format just before the advent of smooth jazz, followed by Faces (1988) and In Focus (1991). After an excursion into swing and three live recordings, Live All Night Long (1994), Cat’s Pajamas (1996) and Passion (1998), Mitchell returned his smooth jazz roots with the PRC release Never Give Up On Love (2001) and Vista Records’ The Traveler (2005).

Producer

Mitchell’s work as a producer spans over four decades and dozens of recordings cover a wide spectrum of genres.

Author

During the 1980s, Mitchell wrote a monthly column for Gig Magazine called "Road Warrior", that gave professional advice to musicians dealing with the issues of work and career. His book The Gigging Musician (Hal Leonard Publishing) is based on Mitchell’s Gig Magazine articles, as well as interviews with industry professionals.[6]

Actor

Mitchell appeared in the classic Clint Eastwood film Bird (1988), playing the part of Charlie Parker’s pianist.[7] He also appeared in Jazz, an award-winning docudrama about the lives and experiences of Black musicians.[8]

Community work

In 2002, Mitchell founded The Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy (SAPPA)[9] to increase participation of inner-city students in music and art scholarship competitions. SAPPA also sponsors music workshops that provide free music instruction in various programs throughout the Los Angeles area. Mitchell also established the Watts-Willowbook Conservatory and Youth Symphony, where he serves as executive director.

Discography

As leader

As producer

As Arranger and/or sideman

Awards

Pasadena Arts Council Gold Crown Award (2006)[10] The KCET and Union Bank Local Hero Award (2010)[11] The Living Legend Foundation, Living Legend Award (2012, July)

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Steward, Zan (December 26, 1966). "Now on a Happier Note: Billy Mitchell". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ↑ "Musician Sees Jazz as Gift to the Children". Star-News. August 17, 1984.
  3. ↑ "The Billy Mitchell Band". Music Connection. May 29 – June 11, 1989.
  4. ↑ "Sedona Jazz on the Rocks features famous educators, artists". Green Valley News & Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Blue City Jam: New Album Released". Los Angeles Sentinel. August 30, 1984.
  6. ↑ Heckman, Don. "New Book Sheds Light on Getting, Keeping Jazz Gig". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ↑ "Movies: Billy Mitchell". Black Elegance (Vol. 2, No. 8). April 1988.
  8. ↑ "Jazz Sweeps Awards". Los Angeles Sentinel.
  9. ↑ Piasecki, Joe (June 21, 2007). "One on One, Musical Mentor Billy Mitchell Helps Lead a Generation Out of Crisis". Pasadena Weekly.
  10. ↑ Wilson, Larry (March 10, 2006). "And the envelope, please". Pasadena Star News.
  11. ↑ "Local Hero: Billy Mitchell". KCET.

External links

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