Rubin Morris Mitchell (July 11, 1927December 21, 1972) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz trio from 1949 through the rest of his life. According to his WWII draft card, he also went by Myles for his middle name.
On October 9, 1949, The Rueben Mitchell Trio accompanied Joan Shaw who was 11 years old at the time and known as "The Hucklebuck Girl", headlining the Rockland Palace, in Miami, Florida.[1]
On August, 1951 Mitchell was signed to Colombia Records by J.J. Johnston, however before he could release any music, he was conscripted for the Korean War.[2] He served in Korea from 1952 to 1954. Two early records were released under his birth-name in 1951 and 1953 "After Hours In Haiti" and "Mambo After Hours", both on OKeh Records.[3]
In 1957, Reuben Mitchell performed (as a trio which included Chris Rouse and Dave Aikens) for twenty-eight weeks at the Flamingo Hotel; during this time he accompanied piano for Judy Garland on December 27, 1957.[4] At the Flamingo Club in Las Vegas, he shared bandstands with such top music personalities as Count Basie and Harry James. He has also accompanied Jack Benny and Ray Bolger on the piano.[5] Between 1960 and 1962 he had an 18-month residency at The Flamingo in Las Vegas.[6]
The earliest known releases by Rubin Mitchell was on Starmaker Records, a Jazz Label from New York City. First releasing two 7" singles ("Li'l Liza Jane" and "Dardanella") followed by a full-length album ("The Golden Hands Of Rubin Mitchell"). All three releases were recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, most famous for being the rehearsal space for Arturo Toscanini and his symphony orchestra in the 1930s.[7] The Rubin Mitchell Trio had an established a seasonal residency, six nights a week, at The Georgian Hotel in Lake George, New York.[8] The residency at The Georgian lasted for three years.[9]
On August 1966, Capitol Record released "Alright, Okay, You Win!" by The Rubin Mitchell Trio.[10] Shortly afterward, the band shortened their name down to "Rubin Mitchell", and began recording their next album.
February 11, 1967, two days before the album "Remarkable Rubin" is to be released, Billboard Magazine announces his Los Angeles concert debut will take place on March 1, at the Century Plaza as a trio with Joe Bellardino on percussion, and Eddie Kahn on bass.[11]
The Capitol Disc Jockey Album (February 1967) described him a "young pianist whose style and talent have already made him an East Coast Legend." According to Joe X Price writing for Variety Magazine: "Without a doubt, this Rubin is the most electrifying pianist I've ever heard! I predict his spellbinding piano sound will start a nationwide craze. Wherever he's played, they've dubbed him 'the Remarkable Rubin.' After hearing this album, I can understand why. This guy is fantastic."
On June 18, 1967, he made his National television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. For the 1967 film The Fox, Rubin collaborated with Lalo Schifrin and Joe Renzetti for the titular song "The Fox", which was released in Japan on March 10th 1968. The B-sides were two Fiddler On The Roof songs recorded for the original London West End production of the play. [12]
Rubin's final release were two songs featuring King Curtis: Loosen Up and Summer Dreams. The songs were recorded in New York City on May 2,1968, and released June 1968. [13]
On 1969 Mitchell appeared on the "Here's To Veterans" Radio Show episode 1084, where he discussed his time in the Military.
| Album Details | ||
| The Golden Hands Of Reuben Mitchell |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Alright, Okay, You Win |
| |
| Presenting Rubin Mitchell |
| |
| The Remarkable Rubin |
|
| Single Details | ||
| After Hours In Haiti / Out Of Nowhere |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Mambo After Hours / Tropical Blues |
| |
| Li'l Liza Jane / Hallelujah I Love Her So |
| |
| Dardenella / You're nobody til' somebody loves you |
| |
| Alright, Okay, You Win / Don't Forget 127th Street |
| |
| My Liza Jane / Spanish Eyes |
| |
| The Fox / Fiddler On The Roof - Matchmaker |
| |
| Loosen Up / Summer Dreams |
|
He died in Miami, Florida on December 21, 1972. His wife, Louise, later petitioned for the Army to assist with a gravemarker.