However, the school band needed a trombonist and reportedly Mitchell's long arms fit the task.

[1] After being discharged in 1953, he moved to San Francisco, where he worked with Earl Hines, Lionel Hampton, and Duke Ellington.

He spent the next decade working in television and movies, then returned to Basie's orchestra in 1980 and remained with it until his death in 1984.

[2][3] As bandleader, Mitchell won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (1996) and Count Plays Duke (1998)[3] He died of cancer in New York at the age of 73.

[4] With Count Basie With Gene Ammons With Joey DeFrancesco With Al Grey With Eddie Harris With Oliver Nelson