Big 6
Blue Mitchell
1958Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Artist profile · 05/07/2026
Blue Mitchell
Blue Mitchell (1930–1979) was an American jazz trumpeter rooted in hard bop, born in Miami and recording extensively in the 1950s-70s. He is noted for his work with the Horace Silver Quintet and a distinctive melodic style blending bebop and blues.
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About
Blue Mitchell, American hard bop trumpet voice from Miami to Los Angeles.
11 vinyl records spanning bebop and jazz-funk; collectible Blue Note and Mainstream pressings.
Richard Allen Mitchell, known as Blue Mitchell, contributed significantly to jazz trumpet from the late 1950s until his passing in 1979. His discography encapsulates a journey through bebop, blues, and jazz-funk, with albums released on major labels such as Blue Note, Riverside, and Mainstream Records. Mitchell's recordings like "The Thing To Do" and "Bring It Home To Me" showcase his fluency in hard bop traditions, while later works like "Many Shades Of Blue" and "Graffiti Blues" explore funk and fusion dimensions. His catalogs include original mono and stereo pressings cherished by collectors, with varying editions across the US, Canada, UK, and France.
Discography
Blue Mitchell discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
Blue Soul
Blue Mitchell
1959Studio
- Vinyl 4
- CD 2
- Cassette
Out of the Blue
Blue Mitchell
1959Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Smooth as the Wind
Blue Mitchell
1961Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette
The Cup Bearers
Blue Mitchell
1963Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Boss Horn
Blue Mitchell
1967Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Heads Up!
Blue Mitchell
1968Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette
Bantu Village
Blue Mitchell
1969Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette
Collision in Black
Blue Mitchell
1969Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Blue Mitchell
Blue Mitchell
1971Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 2
- Cassette
Blue’s Blues
Blue Mitchell
1972Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Stratosonic Nuances
Blue Mitchell
1975Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
Funktion Junction
Blue Mitchell
1976Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
African Violet
Blue Mitchell
1978Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Summer Soft
Blue Mitchell
1978Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Step Lightly
Blue Mitchell
1994Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 2
- Cassette
Live
Blue Mitchell
1995Live
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
Stablemates
Blue Mitchell
2006Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01
I'll Close My EyesBlue's Moods · 1960 - 02When I Fall In LoveBlue's Moods · 1960
- 03Good Humor Man
- 04
DoradoGraffiti Blues · 1973 - 05
Portrait of JennieBring It Home To Me · 1967 - 06I Wish I KnewBlue's Moods · 1960
- 07Sweet PumpkinBlue's Moods · 1960
- 08Sir JohnBlue's Moods · 1960
Essentials
3 Blue Mitchell albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1965A hard bop showcase recorded with Blue Note, featuring five tracks that capture Mitchell's trumpet mastery and rhythmic precision.
5 tracksMono pressingHighly sought Blue Note vinylReleased 1965
#2 · 1967Another Blue Note album blending blues and hard bop elements, noted for its six tracks including the title piece over 8 minutes long.
6 tracksMono pressingBlue Note labelReleased 1967
#3 · 1974A late career jazz-funk album with eight tracks, representing Mitchell's evolution with Mainstream Records into fusion sounds.
8 tracksStereo pressingMainstream RecordsReleased 1974
Go further
Artists similar to Blue Mitchell
Artists who share part of Blue Mitchell's musical DNA.
B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Blue Mitchell
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
01Studio
1965 Blue Note recording of The Thing To Do
The album "The Thing To Do" was recorded in 1965 and released on Blue Note with a marked mono pressing, a key artifact for collectors focused on hard bop jazz.
02Label
Blue Mitchell's work with Blue Note Records
Blue Mitchell issued important albums on Blue Note during the 1960s, including "Bring It Home To Me" (1967) and "The Thing To Do" (1965), showcasing his trumpet style within the label's influential hard bop catalog.
03Pressing
Mainstream Records vinyl pressings in North America and Europe
Many Shades Of Blue (1974) and The Last Tango=Blues (1973) have vinyl pressings spread across Canada, US, France, and the UK, with catalog numbers such as MRL 402 and MRL 392 significant for collectors.
Blue Mitchell was known for his warm trumpet tone and versatile jazz expressions.— Jazz critics
05Top Tracks
Popular tracks among vinyl enthusiasts
"I'll Close My Eyes" and "When I Fall In Love" rank among Blue Mitchell's most played songs, popular with jazz vinyl collectors for their melodic appeal and frequent inclusion in compilations.
Blue Mitchell vinyl discography
See allThe Thing To Do
Blue Mitchell
Jazz contemporain / CoolJazz/Blues
2026-04-17UNIVERSAL MUSICFrom$26.10
1 offerBlue's Moods
Blue Mitchell
Jazz contemporain / CoolJazz/Blues
2024-11-15CONCORD RECORDSFrom$37.99
1 offerBring It Home To Me
Blue Mitchell
Jazz contemporain / CoolJazz/Blues
2022-12-02BLUE NOTEFrom$21.00
2 offersBLUE SOUL/180 GR
Blue Mitchell
Jazz contemporain / CoolJazz/Blues
2018-10-05JAZZ WORKSHOPFrom$29.99
1 offer
Blue Mitchell CDs
See all
Recommended accessories
See allBig Fudge 4-in-1 Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit, Brush and Cleaning Fluid | Anti Static Velvet and Stylus Brushes, Storage Pouch, Full Clean in Under a Minute, Gentle on Grooves
$24.99
View on AmazonBig Fudge 12" Vinyl Record Inner Sleeves, 50 Pack, Acid Free Paper | Heavyweight Construction, Safe for Long Term Storage, Protects LP Albums from Dust, Dirt and Scratches
$21.99
View on AmazonBig Fudge 7" Vinyl Record Sleeves - Inner Sleeves 50 Pack - Anti Static Rice Paper Acid Free Vinyl Covers - Vinyl Accessories Protect LP Albums from Dust, Dirt & Scratches
$21.99
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$14.99
View on AmazonBig Fudge 7" Vinyl Record Sleeves - Round Bottom Inner Sleeves 50 Pack - Anti Static Rice Paper Acid Free Vinyl Covers - Vinyl Accessories Protect LP Albums from Dust, Dirt & Scratches
$21.99
View on Amazon
FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was Blue Mitchell?
Blue Mitchell, born Richard Allen Mitchell in 1930, was an American jazz trumpeter known for his contributions to hard bop and bebop from the 1950s through the 1970s.
What are some essential Blue Mitchell vinyl albums?
Essential albums include "The Thing To Do" (1965) and "Bring It Home To Me" (1967) on Blue Note, alongside "Many Shades Of Blue" (1974) on Mainstream Records.
Which Blue Mitchell albums are rare or collectible?
Mono originals from Blue Note in the mid-1960s, especially "The Thing To Do" and "Bring It Home To Me", are highly collectible due to limited pressings and quality sound.
Are Blue Mitchell pressings from France valuable?
French pressings such as the 1973 "Graffiti Blues" on Mainstream Records exist but may vary in rarity; values depend on condition and market demand.
What genres did Blue Mitchell play?
Blue Mitchell's music spans hard bop, bebop, blues, jazz-funk, and fusion styles, with recordings on Riverside, Blue Note, and Mainstream Records.
Where was Blue Mitchell born and where did he record?
Blue Mitchell was born in Miami, Florida, and recorded primarily in major US jazz hubs, including New York and Los Angeles.
What pressing formats are common for Blue Mitchell's vinyl?
Common vinyl formats include 12" LPs in mono and stereo, with some 180g heavyweight editions and pressings on labels like Blue Note and Mainstream Records.
Which Blue Mitchell tracks are popular for listening today?
Popular tracks include "I'll Close My Eyes", "When I Fall In Love", and "Dorado", often found on compilations and streaming platforms.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 05/07/2026