CiTR

Richard "Blue" Mitchell was one of the most distinctive voices on the trumpet. He came through various r & b bands and paid long dues on the road but in 1958 he joined pianist Horace Silver's great band and never looked back. He began recording under his own name as a leader and sideman and made a wonderful series of recordings for Riverside and Jazzland Records. After playing an important sideman role for the Blue Note label, Blue was signed up by head honcho Alfred Lion. The Jazz Feature tonight is Mitchell's first recording under his name for Blue Note and it's a fine one. The only irony is that for some reason it was never released although given a photo and a catalogue number. Other Mitchell recordings were issued but not this one. It was finally issued in the early 80's after Mitchell's untimely death from cancer in 1979.
It's an excellent session with Mitchell in inspired form but the co-star is a young Joe Henderson who not only plays tenor saxophone but contributes two compositions (Step Lightly and Mamacita) and arranged the rest. On alto saxophone is the very unique sound of Leo Wright, Leo embarked for Europe soon after this session and Jazz fans forgot about him. On piano is a young and energetic Herbie Hancock. Gene Taylor on bass and Roy Brooks on drums are Mitchell's buddies from Horace Silver's band. The group is tight, fresh and inspired. "Step Lightly" is a worthy addition to Blue Mitchell's recorded legacy.