Unlike many jazz players, Blue Mitchell was able to move back and forth between jazz field and rhythm and blues during his career. His 1st recording with Cannonball Adderley introduced him to the public and his late 1950’s albums as leader established him as one of the most lyrical of the hard bop trumpet players. His resume includes playing in bands led by Earl Bostic and Horace Silver. He also recorded 100’s of tracks with important hard bop musicians throughout the late 1950’s and 1960’s.
Blue Mitchell - Episode 1
| Composition | Artist | Album | Year |
| Big Six | Blue Mitchell | Big 6 | 1958 |
| A Little Taste | Cannonball Adderley | Portrait of Cannonball | 1958 |
| People Will Say We're in Love | Cannonball Adderley | Portrait of Cannonball | 1958 |
| Blues March | Blue Mitchell | Big 6 | 1958 |
| Blue Soul | Blue Mitchell | Blue Soul | 1959 |
| Studio B | Blue Mitchell | Out of the Blue | 1959 |
| Sir John | Blue Mitchell | Blue's Moods | 1960 |
Blue Mitchell - Episode 2
On this podcast you will hear Blue’s most important recordings as a bandleader from the late 1950’s through the mid 1960’s. He was one of the great interpreters of the blues and the most lyrical hard bop trumpet player of his generation. His solos represent an education in timing and note choice, and the recording of Tones for Jones Bones (with Chick Corea) shows him moving into a more modern approach to improvisation.
| Composition | Artist | Album | Year |
| Cup Bearers | Blue Mitchell | The Cup Bearers | 1962 |
| Waverly Street | Blue Mitchell | Blue Soul | 1959 |
| I'll Close My Eyes | Blue Mitchell | Blue's Moods | 1960 |
| Sweet Pumpkin | Blue Mitchell | Blue's Moods | 1960 |
| Capers | Blue Mitchell | The Cup Bearers | 1962 |
| Mona's Mood | Blue Mitchell | The Thing to Do | 1964 |
| Tones for Joan's Bones | Blue Mitchell | Boss Horn | 1966 |
Blue Mitchell - Episode 3
I examine Blue Mitchell’s important collaboration with Horace Silver in the late 1950’s through the early 1960’s. These recordings are some of the best Blue Records from this period and certainly some of Horace Silver’s most memorable. Together with Junior Cook on tenor, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Roy Brooks, the Horace Silver Quintet was one of the most exciting bands in jazz from this period. Also included is a track from Jackie McLean’s album Jackie’s Bag and one track from a collaboration with Red Garland. These recordings clearly define why Blue was one of the most often recorded trumpet players from this period.
| Composition | Artist | Album | Year |
| The Gringo | Horace Silver | Finger Poppin’ | 1959 |
| Finger Poppin’ | Horace Silver | Finger Poppin' | 1959 |
| Baghdad Blues | Horace Silver | Blowin' the Blues Away | 1959 |
| Peace | Horace Silver | Blowin' the Blues Away | 1959 |
| Nica's Dream | Horace Silver | Horace Scope | 1960 |
| Appointment in Ghana | Jackie McLean | Jackie's Bag | 1960 |
| Falling in Love with Love | Red Garland | Red's Good Groove | 1962 |