Willie Mitchell (musician)

Willie Mitchell ( born March 1, 1928 in Ashland, Mississippi, † January 5, 2010 in Memphis, Tennessee) was an American soul, R & B, pop and funk music producer and arranger. He led his company last Royal Recording in Memphis. He was known primarily for his Hi Records recordings of the 1970s, where some popular Memphis soul musicians published, including Mitchell himself, Al Green and Ann Peebles.

Life and work

Raised in Ashland Mitchell moved into his high school years to Memphis. He was on the Rust College. At eight, he learned to play the trumpet. During high school, he was a sought-after musicians in local big bands. Later he formed his own band, played along with Booker Little, Charles Lloyd, George Coleman and pianist Phineas Newborn Jr..

Mitchell initially took a job at the Home of the Blues record label as a producer. Later he moved to Hi Records as a musician, director and producer. His nickname " Papa Willie" earned him the fact that he led Hi Records in the 1970s through its most successful years. Mitchell's productions were particularly characterized by a hard-hitting kick drum sound ( mostly played by drummer Al Jackson, Jr. of the band Booker T. & the MG 's).

As a trumpeter and bandleader Mitchell published a series owners singles on Hi Records in the 1960s, including the number Charts Soul Serenade. During the 1980 Willie ran his own independent label Waylo Records. Among the published musicians there included Billy Always and Lynn White.

Mitchell and Al Green had their successful cooperation after a 18- year hiatus in 2003 resurgence, as a Green I Can not Stop recorded, followed by the CD Everything's OK. He wrote string and horn arrangements for Rod Stewart album with R & B cover versions.

Mitchell died in Memphis with 81 years of a heart attack. Shortly before he had finished yet produced the album Nothing's Impossible by Solomon Burke.

Discography

Awards

• 2008 - Grammy Trustees Award for his lifetime achievements