Brian Mitchell (musician)

Brian Mitchell is a keyboard and accordion player based in New York City who is well known for high-profile collaborations, and for consummate session work.

Brian has toured extensively around the world, from The Apollo in Harlem, Tipitina's in New Orleans to Ronny Scott's in London and The Blue Note in Japan. He has appeared in concert halls and at festivals including Lincoln Center in New York, The Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, The North Sea Jazz Festival and The New Orleans Jazz & Blues Heritage Festival.

Brian Mitchell's Collaborations

He has recorded and performed with some of music's most respected artists, including Bob Dylan, Al Green, B.B. King, Allen Toussaint and Levon Helm. He can be seen performing as a member of The Midnight Ramble in Woodstock. Brian is featured on Levon’s new CD Dirt Farmer which recently won a Grammy. He can also be heard on all-star sessions such as Les Paul & Friends with Peter Frampton and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and B.B. King & Friends 80 with John Mayer and Gloria Estefan. Both of those CD’s were also awarded Grammy’s. Brian’s unique approach to performing and recording in the studio was the subject of an article in Keyboard Magazine.

Brian Mitchell's Original Music

Brian Mitchell's original music features a unique blend of gutbucket blues, funky New Orleans style R&B, quirky Latin rhythms, and occasional visits into outer space.

Brian released two CD's of his original music, Songs From The Underground, and his latest, Diggin Up The Roots. He also records and performs with House Of Diablo, a collaboration with drummer Shawn Pelton that showcases his more electronic improvisational side. His extraordinary versatility on piano, Hammond B-3, accordion, and other various keyboards, plus his distinctive vocal styling have firmly established him as one of New York City's most gifted and sought after musicians.

Brian's work as a composer has been featured in TV, film, and theater. His original music with House Of Diablo was used in the soundtrack for the Robert Altman film Tanner On Tanner. His blues piano stylings were also heard in the recent Broadway production of August Wilson's Seven Guitars.

Public Appearances

He has made frequent TV appearances including performances on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The View, Austin City Limits, and a cameo on the soap opera One Life To Live. Brian's accordion can be heard throughout Bob Dylan's version of the Dean Martin chestnut Return To Me on an episode of The Soprano's. Other special collaborations include recording with Christopher Walken in the movie Search and Destroy, and accompanying ex-President Bill Clinton, Cher, and Nathan Lane in a rousing version of “Happy Birthday” for his wife Hillary at The Roseland in NYC.

Bands in which Brian Mitchell leads or appears

• Brian Mitchell Band (leads)
• The MONSTAS
• House of Diablo
• Levon Helm Band
• Paul Shapiro's Midnight Minyon

External links

• Official website

• Bio on Levon Helm's website
• "The Saint of New Orleans Piano" by Brian Mitchell. Interview of musician Allen Toussaint in Keyboard Magazine, November 2006.