BELLA VISTA — Bella Vista, and the music world in general, lost a friend last week with the passing of big band leader Jack Mitchell.
Mitchell, 88, died Oct. 20 in Cleveland, Tenn.
As a young boy Mitchell taught himself to play the drums and formed his first band in high school in Paducah, Ky.
At 17 he was hired by Harry Barry to play in his all-girl orchestra, which toured throughout New England for many years.
In 1942 Mitchell joined the Army Air Corps. His first duty station was Blytheville, where he was a member of the Corps band.
It was there he met his wife, Elizabeth “Bettye” Rodgers. Shortly after their marriage they relocated to Sebring, Fla., and later Smyrna, Tenn., as he continued to perform with the military band.
Following his discharge in1946, the couple moved to Chicago, where he went into the import business for the next three decades.
He continued to play parttime with such notables as Eddie Fisher, Steve Lawrence, Edie Gorme, Joey Bishop, Isaac Stern, Gregory Hines, Regis Philbin, Tony Bennett and Jack Jones.
Mitchell retired in 1988 and moved to Bella Vista, where he became a member of the Bella Vista Big Band. He later became its leader, and 10 years after formed his own group.
“He was the center of energy of his band,” said current manager and baritone saxophonist Ron Thurston on hearing of his death. Mitchell personally tapped Thurston to replace him when he moved east. “We played for him and around him.”
Alto sax player Bob Christensen said the band members were dedicated to their later leader.
On Oct. 21, as word spreadof Mitchell’s death, it just so happened the band had a rehearsal.
“The mood was somber, there were some guys with tears in their eyes” Thurston said. “We asked ourselves, ‘what do you think Jack would want us to do?’”
To the musician, Thurston said the answer came back “play.”
Before he left Bella Vista for Tennessee, Mitchell wrote a letter authorizing Thurston and the band to continue to use his name. Therefore, the Jack Mitchell Big Band continues today.
“Jack kept the band alive and now he’s keeping his legacy alive.” Thurston said.
Both men said Mitchell had two things about him that sometimes didn’t set right with everyone. He was somewhat of a task master and he performed a lot of free shows. Many of those free events involved charities such as Village House Adult Day Program and stops at schools in northwest Arkansas to bring the music to the children.
“You never asked Jack when you were going to get paid,” said Christensen. “He decided when and what you got paid.”
Mitchell’s stops at the schools were extremelyimportant to him, the men said. It was his belief that if he introduced a child to music, it would have a positive impact on them for the rest of their lives.
“He loved children,” Thurston said. In fact, the band members are talking about the possibility of creating a scholarship in Mitchell’s name to help students interested in learning to play an instrument.
“Something like that would perpetuate his name,” Christensen said.
Susan Wizer joined Mitchell’s group 13 years ago.
The classically-trained singer said she had an interest in the big band music and accepted a job offer from the band leader.
“He took a chance on me and taught me a lot about jazz,” she said.
Wizer said she has had two mentors in her life, and Mitchell was one of them.
“He took time to share with me and I learned a lot about the style of music. He led me on a journey as a vocalist.
“There’s nothing better than singing with a live band.”
Wizer said Mitchell had an intrinsic ability to know what people wanted and he would always give it to them.
“He was the most energetic and motivated man I have ever known,” she said. “He never stopped. He was a great musician and had a great sense of timing.
She also said Mitchell was always looking out for others.
“I was touched by his dedication to the music and the band. He loved to help people and loved to help kids.”
News, Pages 1 on 10/26/2011