About Ollie Mitchell
Lived 1927 – 2013 (aged 86). Ollie Mitchell was an American bandleader, conductor and trumpeter.
Oliver Edward Mitchell (April 8, 1927 – May 11, 2013) was an American musician and bandleader. He was the son of Harold Mitchell, lead trumpeter for MGM Studios, who taught Ollie to play the trumpet.
Career Mitchell would go on to play in big bands for Harry James, Buddy Rich and Pérez Prado, among others, as well as the NBC Symphony Orchestra. In the 1960s, Mitchell joined The Wrecking Crew, a group of studio and session musicians who played anonymously on many records for popular singers of the time, as well as television theme songs, film scores, and advertising jingles. Mitchell was also an original member of Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass. He would go on to have his own bands—Ollie Mitchell's Sunday Band, and the Olliephonic Horns.
Discography
With Chet Baker Blood, Chet and Tears (Verve, 1970) With Harry James The New James (Capitol Records – ST 1037, 1958) Harry's Choice (Capitol Records – ST 1093, 1958) With Stan Kenton Stan Kenton Conducts the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra (Capitol, 1965) Hair (Capitol, 1969) With Irene Kral Wonderful Life (Mainstream, 1965) With Shorty Rogers Chances Are It Swings (RCA Victor, 1958) The Wizard of Oz and Other Harold Arlen Songs (RCA Victor, 1959) Shorty Rogers Meets Tarzan (MGM, 1960) An Invisible Orchard (RCA Victor, 1961 ) Bossa Nova (Reprise, 1962) Jazz Waltz (Reprise, 1962) With Pete Rugolo Rugolo Plays Kenton (EmArcy, 1958) The Music from Richard Diamond (EmArcy, 1959) Behind Brigitte Bardot (Warner Bros., 1960) The Original Music of Thriller (Time, 1961) Ten Trumpets and 2 Guitars (Mercury, 1961) With Steely Dan Pretzel Logic (ABC Records, 1974) With Dan Terry The Complete Vita Recordings of Dan Terry (Vita Records, 1952) With Gerald Wilson California Soul (Pacific Jazz, 1968)
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Important facts
People in Ollie Mitchell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ollie Mitchell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ollie Mitchell?
American trumpeter
When was Ollie Mitchell born?
Ollie Mitchell was born on 8 April 1927 in Los Angeles.
When did Ollie Mitchell die?
Ollie Mitchell died on 11 May 2013 in Puakō.
What was Ollie Mitchell's occupation?
Ollie Mitchell was a bandleader, conductor and trumpeter.
What nationality was Ollie Mitchell?
Ollie Mitchell was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ollie Mitchell. https://biography.guide/ollie-mitchell/
MLA: "Ollie Mitchell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ollie-mitchell/.
Chicago: "Ollie Mitchell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ollie-mitchell/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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