It’s time to write about the Mills Blue Rhythm Band.
The Harlem band was originally led by reedman Bingie Madison, later by drummer Willie Lynch. They had a strong reputation and appeared under different names like the Blue Rhythm Band in 1930 or the Coconut Grove Orchestra. When backing Louis Armstrong on some records, they even didn’t have a name at all.
When Irving Mills, one of the leading booking agents in New York, became their manager in 1931, the group was renamed the Mills Blue Rhythm Band. Baron Lee led the band after Lynch’s departure in the same year until Lucky Millinder took over in 1934. Four years later, the group broke up and Millinder formed his own orchestra.
The big band recorded frequently during 1931-1937 and they did some really good recordings, but there is one problem, they never really could develop an individual style.
For this week I have chosen another Balboa tune, and why not having some rhythm in the title 
: There’s Rhythm in Harlem (by tenor saxophonist Joe Garland) which eventually emerged to In the Mood, a huge hit by Glenn Miller in 1939!
Title: There’s Rhythm In Harlem
Artist: Mills Blue Rhythm Band
Recorded: 9.7.1935
Album: Mills Blue Rhythm Band 1933-1936
Tempo: 210 bpm
Dance: Balboa
Click the link to prelisten and download the song (mp3/mp4a) at
iTunes — Amazon.de (CH/D/A) — Amazon.com — eMusic
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Song of the Week #24: “I’ve Found A New Baby (Live)” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
Song of the Week #23: “Muskrat Ramble” by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five
Song of the Week #22: “Six Feet Down” by Tuba Skinny
Song of the Week #21: “Linger Awhile” by Big Sid Catlett Quartet feat. Ben Webster
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