Billy Mitchell

Billy Mitchell, born William Melvin Mitchell on November 3, 1926, in Kansas City, Missouri, was a notable American jazz tenor saxophonist celebrated for blending hard swing with bebop in a unique and exciting way. Raised in Detroit, where he received his early music education at Cass Tech, Mitchell became a professional musician by age 17. He played with prominent bands led by Nat Towles and Lucky Millinder and later replaced Gene Ammons in Woody Herman’s big band. Known for a deep, confident tenor saxophone sound influenced by Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins, Mitchell had a rich career performing with jazz legends including Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Thad Jones. He also served as musical director for Dizzy Gillespie’s big band during historic international tours and briefly for Stevie Wonder. Despite his influential role, Mitchell remained somewhat overlooked by the mainstream jazz concert audience, but his contributions remain an important chapter in jazz history. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 74.