The Mills Blue Rhythm Band is one of the more sought after jazz bands of the 1930s. Mostly because of the rich history of it, connecting to many early jazz artists including The Duke, Calloway, Millinder, Armstrong, and several others, and had at least 5 different leaders throughout it's lifetime. In fact, a trained ear could trace through their recordings and tell their each bandleader apart. The 'Mills' part actually comes from Irving Mills being it's manager. It was originally one of the several insignificant bands at Cocoanut Grove, going under the name \"Cocoanut Grove Orchestra\". They had many pseudonyms they went by, those included The Blue Rhythm Boys, The Ten Black Berries (also used sometimes by Ellington), Mills' Music Makers, and King Carter's Royal Orchestra.
Though the band was at Cocoanut Grove since atleast 1930, it didn't officially become The Mills' Blue Rhythm Band until January 1931. Quickly after that, they would have their first records cut on Brunswick. Soon after, signing to Columbia as well. Later that year, signing to Victor too. They would stay on those three main labels throughout the year, but eventually dropped Brunswick. In 1932, they would be one of the many bands that came over to the rapidly growing ARC, and recording for their labels like Perfect, Banner, Oriole, Conqueror, Vocalion, Melotone, etc, while still being on Columbia and Victor and it's somewhat new subsidiary Bluebird. By 1934, Columbia would be absorbed into the ARC, and that same year they would leave from Victor, so they were entirely ARC going into 1935. In 1937, they would be one of the first bands to be put on one of Mill's two Newly made ARC Labels, Master & Variety. Later in 1938 the band would break up.
The band had a respectable amount of hits throughout it's career. Those include Ride Red Ride in 1935, Barrelhouse in 1936, Truckin' In 1935, Dinah Lou in 1935, Mr. Ghost Goes To Town in 1936, The Image Of You in 1937, Dinah Lou in 1935, Dancing Dogs in 1935, and several others.
