Effective period / Period of releases: 1984 - 1988

American Contemporary Jazz & World Music keyboardist, born in Tarrytown, raised in Buffalo, New York, now based in Pasadena.

Southern California-based keyboardist Billy Mitchell has been making satisfying soul jazz albums since the mid-'80s. Before there was smooth jazz, Mitchell was churning out chart topping productions for the "Quiet Storm" format. Although conventional music industry wisdom has long dictated that a jazz musician must take sides - either you play straight-ahead be-bop, or you go fully contemporary and cater to the smooth jazz audience - pianist and producer Billy Mitchell loves playing both, and his refusal to limit himself creatively has earned him respect from both sides of the proverbial fence.

For the US saxophone player (b.1926 - d.2001), please use Billy Mitchell