Rubin Mitchell
Rubin Morris Mitchell (July 11, 1927 – December 21, 1972) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz trio from 1949 through the rest of his life. According to his WWII draft card, he also went by Myles for his middle name.
Early musical career
[edit]On October 9, 1949, The Rueben Mitchell Trio accompanied Joan Shaw who was 11 years old at the time and known as "The Hucklebuck Girl", headlining the Rockland Palace, in Miami, Florida.[1]
In August 1951 Mitchell was signed to Columbia Records by J.J. Johnston, however before he could release any music, he was conscripted for the Korean War.[2] He served in Korea from 1952 to 1954. Two early records were released under his birth-name in 1951 and 1953 "After Hours In Haiti" and "Mambo After Hours", both on OKeh Records. In 1957, Reuben Mitchell performed (as a trio which included Chris Rouse and Dave Aikens) for twenty-eight weeks at the Flamingo Hotel; during this time he accompanied piano for Judy Garland on December 27, 1957.[3] At the Flamingo Club in Las Vegas, he shared bandstands with such top music personalities as Count Basie and Harry James. He has also accompanied Jack Benny and Ray Bolger on the piano.[4] Between 1960 and 1962 he had an 18-month residency at The Flamingo in Las Vegas.[5]
Starmaker Records
[edit]The earliest known releases by Rubin Mitchell was on Starmaker Records, a Jazz Label from New York City. First releasing two 7" singles ("Li'l Liza Jane" and "Dardanella") followed by a full-length album ("The Golden Hands Of Rubin Mitchell"). All three releases were recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, most famous for being the rehearsal space for Arturo Toscanini and his symphony orchestra in the 1930s.[6] The Rubin Mitchell Trio had an established a seasonal residency, six nights a week, at The Georgian Hotel in Lake George, New York.[7] The residency at The Georgian lasted for three years.[8]
Albums
[edit]| Album | Album Details |
|---|---|
| The Golden Hands Of Reuben Mitchell |
|
| Alright, Okay, You Win! |
|
| Presenting Rubin Mitchell |
|
| The Remarkable Rubin |
|
Singles
[edit]| Single | Single Details |
|---|---|
| After Hours In Haiti / Out Of Nowhere |
|
| Mambo After Hours / Tropical Blues |
|
| Li'l Liza Jane / Hallelujah I Love Her So |
|
| Dardenella / You're nobody til' somebody loves you |
|
| Alright, Okay, You Win / Don't Forget 127th Street |
|
| My Liza Jane / Spanish Eyes |
|
| The Fox / Fiddler On The Roof - Matchmaker |
|
| Loosen Up / Summer Dreams |
|
Death
[edit]He died in Miami, Florida on December 21, 1972. His wife, Louise, later petitioned for the Army to assist with a gravemarker.
References
[edit]- ^ "THE MIAMI TIMES OCTOBER 8th, 1949". TheMiamiTimes. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "THE MIAMI TIMES AUGUST 18, 1951". TheMiamiTimes. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ ""The Miami Times," Headlining Article November 16th, 1957". The Miami Times. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ ""Skidmore News," April 29, 1965". The Skidmore Newspaper. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ ""The Glens Falls Times, 22 June 1962". The Glen Fans Times Newspaper. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "PLAZA SOUND STUDIOS". Rough Trade. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ "The Glens Falls Times, 27 June 1962". The Glens Falls Times. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "The Lake George Mirror, 21 August 1964". The Lake George Mirror. Retrieved 7 July 2024.