Grover Mitchell, born Grover Curry Mitchell (March 17, 1930 – August 6, 2003) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

trombonist who led the

Count Basie Orchestra The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936. Despite a brief disbandment at the beginning of the 19 ...

Biography

Mitchell was born in Whately,

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = " Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,7 ...

, but he moved with his parents to

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, when he was eight. He played the

bugle The bugle is one of the simplest brass instruments, normally having no valves or other pitch-altering devices. All pitch control is done by varying the player's embouchure. History The bugle developed from early musical or communication ...

in school and wanted to play

trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard ...

. However, the school band needed a trombonist and reportedly Mitchell's long arms fit the task. He was a member of the school's orchestra with

Ahmad Jamal Ahmad Jamal (born Frederick Russell Jones, July 2, 1930) is an American jazz pianist, composer, bandleader and educator. For six decades, he has been one of the most successful small-group leaders in jazz. Biography Early life Jamal was born Fr ...

and Dakota Staton. At sixteen, he played with King Kolax's territory band in

Indiana Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th ...

. In 1951 he joined the U.S. Marines and played in a military band. After being discharged in 1953, he moved to

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish for " Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the fourth most populous in California and 17t ...

, where he worked with

Earl Hines Earl Kenneth Hines, also known as Earl "Fatha" Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983), was an American jazz pianist and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one source, " ...

Lionel Hampton Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader. Hampton worked with jazz musicians from Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich, to Charlie Parker, Charles ...

, and

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was bas ...

. From 1962–1970, he was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra. Mitchell had been a fan of

Tommy Dorsey Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr. (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the big band era. He was known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing" because of his smooth-toned trombo ...

, as

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

told him he sounded like him. He spent the next decade working in television and movies, then returned to Basie's orchestra in 1980 and remained with it until his death in 1984.

Thad Jones Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March 28, 1923 – August 20, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists". Biography Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, U ...

became leader of the orchestra, followed by Frank Foster, then Mitchell in 1995. As bandleader, Mitchell won the Grammy Award for

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album The Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album has been presented since 1961. From 1962 to 1971 and 1979 to 1991 the award title specified instrumental performances. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works ...

for ''

Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild ''Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild'' is an album by the Count Basie Orchestra that won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 1997. The orchestra is led by Grover Mitchell and features four songs with New York Voices. Track li ...

'' (1996) and ''Count Plays Duke'' (1998) He died of cancer in New York at the age of 73.

Discography

As leader

* ''Meet Grover Mitchell'' (Jazz Chronicles, 1979) * ''The Devil's Waltz'' (Jazz Chronicles, 1980) * ''Live at the Red Parrot'' (Hemisphere, 1984) * ''Grover Mitchell & His Orchestra'' ( Stash, 1987) * ''Truckin'' ' (Stash, 1987) * ''Hip Shakin' '' (

Ken Ken or KEN may refer to: Entertainment * ''Ken'' (album), a 2017 album by Canadian indie rock band Destroyer. * ''Ken'' (film), 1964 Japanese film. * ''Ken'' (magazine), a large-format political magazine. * Ken Masters, a main character in ...

, 1990) * ''

'' (1996) with the

* ''On Track'' with his New Blue Devils (Quixotic Records, 1997) * ''Count Plays Duke'' with the Count Basie Orchestra (MAMA, 1998) * ''Swing Shift'' ( MAMA/Summit, 1999) * ''Grover Mitchell Big Band'' ( Storyville, 2004)

As sideman

With

* ''

On My Way & Shoutin' Again! ''On My Way & Shoutin' Again!'' is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring compositions by Neal Hefti recorded in 1962 and originally released on the Verve label.This Time by Basie! ''This Time by Basie'' (subtitled ''Hits of the 50's & 60's'') is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring jazz versions of contemporary hits recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Reprise label. Recept ...

'' (Reprise, 1963) * '' More Hits of the 50's and 60's'' (Verve, 1963) * '' Pop Goes the Basie'' (Reprise, 1965) * '' Basie Meets Bond'' (United Artists, 1966) * ''

Live at the Sands (Before Frank) ''Live at the Sands (Before Frank)'' is a live album by the pianist and bandleader Count Basie with performances recorded in Las Vegas in 1966 at the same concerts that produced Frank Sinatra's 1966 album ''Sinatra at the Sands''. It was released ...

'' (Reprise, 1966 998 * ''

Sinatra at the Sands ''Sinatra at the Sands'' is a live album by Frank Sinatra accompanied by Count Basie and his orchestra, and conducted and arranged by Quincy Jones, recorded live in the Copa Room of the former Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1966. It ...

'' (Reprise, 1966) with

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the " Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 1940s, 1950s, and ...

* ''

Basie's Beatle Bag ''Basie's Beatle Bag'' is a 1966 studio album by Count Basie and his orchestra, arranged by Chico O'Farrill. Basie released a second album of Beatles songs, ''Basie on the Beatles'', in 1969. Track listing # "Help!" – 2:15 # "Can't Buy Me L ...

'' (Verve, 1966) * '' Broadway Basie's...Way'' (Command, 1966) * '' Hollywood...Basie's Way'' (Command, 1967) * ''

Basie's Beat ''Basie's Beat'' is a 1967 album by Count Basie Count Basie Orchestra, and his orchestra. The trombonist Richard B. Boone, Richard Boone sings on two of the tracks, "Boone's Blues" and "I Got Rhythm". Track listing # "It's Only a Paper Moon" (Ha ...

'' (Verve, 1967) * '' Basie's in the Bag'' (Brunswick, 1967) * '' The Happiest Millionaire'' (Coliseum, 1967) * '' Half a Sixpence'' (Dot, 1967) * '' The Board of Directors'' (Dot, 1967) with

The Mills Brothers The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed the Four Mills Brothers, and originally known as the Four Kings of Harmony, were an American jazz and traditional pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies an ...

* ''

Manufacturers of Soul ''Manufacturers of Soul'' is an album by soul music vocalist Jackie Wilson and jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie featuring performances of jazz versions of contemporary R&B/soul hits recorded in 1968 and released on the Brunswick label.Edwa ...

'' (Brunswick, 1968) with

Jackie Wilson Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American singer and performer of the 1950s and 60s. He was a prominent figure in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. Nicknamed "Mr. Excitement", he was considered a mas ...

* ''

The Board of Directors Annual Report ''The Board of Directors Annual Report'' is an album by vocal group The Mills Brothers with pianist and bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1968 and released on the Dot label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MDot ...

'' (Dot, 1968) with The Mills Brothers * ''

Basie Straight Ahead ''Basie Straight Ahead'' is an album recorded at TTG Studios, Hollywood, California in October 1968 featuring Count Basie and his orchestra. This album marked the first collaboration between Basie and his long-time orchestrator, Sammy Nestico, w ...

'' (Dot, 1968) * ''

How About This ''How About This'' is an album by vocalist Kay Starr and pianist and bandleader Count Basie, released in 1969 by the Paramount Records label.Edwards, D. & Callahan, MParamount Album Discography accessed November 15, 2015 Background In the 1960s, ...

'' (Paramount, 1968) with

Kay Starr Katherine Laverne Starks (July 21, 1922 – November 3, 2016), known professionally as Kay Starr, was an American singer who enjoyed considerable success in the late 1940s and 1950s. She was of Iroquois and Irish heritage. Starr performed multip ...

* ''

Standing Ovation A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim. In Ancient Rome returning military commanders (such as Marcus Licinius Crassus a ...

'' (Dot, 1969) * ''

Basic Basie ''Basic Basie'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Count Basie featuring performances recorded in Chicago in 1969 and released on the MPS label. It was released in the U.S. in 1972 on the Groove Merchant label as ''Evergreens''.

'' (MPS, 1969) * ''

Basie on the Beatles ''Basie on the Beatles'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Count Basie featuring performances recorded in late 1969 and released on the short-lived Happy Tiger label.Edwards, D., Callahan, M. & Eyries, PHappy Tiger Album Discography accessed N ...

'' (Happy Tiger, 1969) * ''

High Voltage High voltage electricity refers to electrical potential large enough to cause injury or damage. In certain industries, ''high voltage'' refers to voltage above a certain threshold. Equipment and conductors that carry high voltage warrant sp ...

'' (MPS, 1970) * '' Me and You'' (Pablo, 1983) With

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

* '' Free Again'' (Prestige, 1971) With Joey DeFrancesco *''

Where Were You? ''Where Were You?'' is the second album led by jazz organist Joey DeFrancesco which was released on the Columbia label in 1990.Al Grey Al Grey (June 6, 1925 – March 24, 2000) was an American jazz trombonist who was a member of the Count Basie orchestra. He was known for his plunger mute technique and wrote an instructional book in 1987 called ''Plunger Techniques''. Care ...

* ''

Shades of Grey Variations of gray or grey include achromatic grayscale shades, which lie exactly between white and black, and nearby colors with low colorfulness. A selection of a number of these various colors is shown below. Chart of computer web color ...

'' (Tangerine, 1965) With

Eddie Harris Eddie Harris (October 20, 1934 – November 5, 1996) was an American jazz musician, best known for playing tenor saxophone and for introducing the electrically amplified saxophone. He was also fluent on the electric piano and organ. His best-k ...

* ''

How Can You Live Like That? ''How Can You Live Like That?'' is an album by American jazz saxophonist Eddie Harris recorded in 1976 and released on the Atlantic label.

'' (Atlantic, 1976) With

Oliver Nelson Oliver Edward Nelson (June 4, 1932 – October 28, 1975) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. His 1961 Impulse! album '' The Blues and the Abstract Truth'' (1961) is regarded as one of the most signifi ...

* '' Skull Session'' (Flying Dutchman, 1975)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Grover 1930 births 2003 deaths People from Clarke County, Alabama American jazz trombonists Male trombonists Big band bandleaders Grammy Award winners Jazz musicians from Alabama 20th-century trombonists 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians