J. R. Mitchell
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2010) ) |
J. R. Mitchell | |
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Congas, Piano | |
Years active | 1960–2004 |
Labels | Dogtown, Doria, CIMP |
James Roland "J. R." Mitchell (April 13, 1937 – January 25, 2004) was an American
Biography
Youth and early life
J. R. Mitchell was born April 13, 1937, to a family of five in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At age 15, Mitchell began studying percussion at Music City in Philadelphia, under Paul Patterson. After high school, he entered the U.S. Marines, and while in the service in North Carolina, he associated with many musicians from Detroit. Completing his military service in 1958, Mitchell entered Combs College of Music and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Applied Instruments (percussion) and Music Education. He continued his studies at Temple University in orchestration, arranging and conduction, performing with the Olney Symphony Orchestra.
Jazz Educator
Awarded a scholarship to the
In 1979, Mitchell became associate professor in the Department of Music and Black Studies at
From the 1980s until the year 2000, Mitchell traveled for numerous extended periods to countries in west and east Africa, including Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia, primarily in the role of teacher, working closely with local and international institutions.
Main Influences
J. R. Mitchell was influenced in his early years by his association with
, among others.Musical career
During a career that lasted almost 40 years, Mitchell performed with artists and ensembles including
Starting in the mid-1980s Mitchell served as a percussionist for dance classes and performances, including Primitive Dance classes at the Ned Williams Dance School and dance classes at the Jackie Robinson YMCA in New York City.
Mitchell also composed and arranged music for various ensembles. Among his most notable compositions is the Walls of Africa Suite, inspired by his many experiences in Africa. It premiered, and was recorded, at Lincoln Center in 1982, performed by the 21-piece J. R. Mitchell Universal Orchestra. Mitchell's other compositions include "African Drums on Senegal", "McCoy T", "Ballad for Sabina", "Blues for a Beautiful Brother" and "Mov'en".
Entrepreneurial pursuits
Like Charles Mingus and Charles Tolliver, Mitchell determined that the best way to achieve recognition and distribution as an independent African American musician was to create and operate his own record label, Doria Records Inc., named after his daughter. For 25 years, Mitchell used his record label, along with his New York-based non-profit foundation Music Inn Studios, as the springboard for numerous collaborations, appearances, speaking engagements, and community activities for many artists as well as himself. Music Inn Studios served contemporary musicians and artists in areas such as public relations, contract and proposal writing, audio-visual, music recording and distribution services.
Community activities
Among Mitchell's organizational activities were membership on the Board of Directors of The Empty Foxhole Inc. in Philadelphia, Secretary of the Unification of Concerned Jazz Artists, and an association with the Jazz Museum in New York.
Discography
- Live at Macalester College (Dogtown, 1972) as the J. R. Mitchell/Byard Lancaster Experience
- Live (Doria, 1978)
- Mov'en (Doria, 1982) with Byard Lancaster, Justo Almario, Bob Neloms, Calvin Hill and Jerome Hunter
- Philadelphia Spirit in New York (CIMP, 2001) with Ed Crockett, Odean Pope and Byard Lancaster
- The Outcry (Lancaster Recording, 2003) with Ed Crockett and Byard Lancaster
As sideman
With
- Family Man (Muse, 1978)
With Sonny Stitt
- Deep Roots (Progressive, 1978) with Sadik Hakim
References
- 'The Marketing of Black Music', from Views on Black Music, Proceedings of the 10th Annual Black Musicians Conference, University of Massachusetts Amherst (1982)
- 'Creative Survival', Profile of J. R. Mitchell by Scott K. Fish, Modern Drummer Magazine (December 1983)
- Interview with J. R. Mitchell, Cadence Magazine, Volume 8, (Vol. 1 and 2, 1983)
- J. R. Mitchell's jazz curriculum, from Horn Works: Music Discipline, written by Byard Lancaster, Jazz-Versity Press (1992)
- 'J. R. Mitchell, From Academia to Africa', Manhattan Plaza News (December 2000)
External links
Web sites with more information on J. R. Mitchell:
- Video Remembrance of J. R. (2004) on YouTube
- [1] Reissue of 'Live at Macalister' CD on Porter Records (2008)
- [2] J.R. Mitchell Discography on Discogs