Billy Mitchell is an internationally renowned jazz musician and producer, also known as a tireless leader, worker, and advocate of music education for inner-city youth.
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He produced his first solo project (Blue City Jam) in 1984, launching his boutique label, VISTA,
soon after. The label has introduced many young artists in a variety of genres.

Born and raised on the east coast, educated in the South, he pursued his career after moving West …. working or recording with a variety of artists such as Ester Phillips, Teddy Edwards, Snooky Young, Randy Crawford, Bobby Rodriguez, Linda Hopkins, The Platters, Willie Dixon, The Gap Band, Billy Paul, Garrett Morris, Kenny Burrell……
….he has performed at many international music festivals, and countless club appearances…..
..appeared in Clint Eastwood’s feature film about Charlie Parker, “Bird.”
…….published The Gigging Musician(Rowman &Littlefield Pub.) a must-read for beginning artists.
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In 2002, Mithell founded the Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy (SAPPA)
and the Watts-Willowbrook Music Academy
Mitchell has received numerous awards, including the Jazz for the Next Generation Award (America West Airlines), Gold Crown Award (Pasadena Arts Council), Local Heroes Award (KCET/Union Bank), Inductee into the California Jazz & Blues Hall of Fame, Jazz Hero Award (Jazz Journalist Association), Nica Award (California Jazz Foundation) and many awards and commendations from the City and County of Los Angeles and the State of California.