[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO SHERMAN MITCHELL

 Mr. RIEGLE. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to Mr. 
Sherman Mitchell, an outstanding and valued member of my hometown 
community of Flint, MI. On the evening of June 12, 1994, Mr. Mitchell, 
a renowned international jazz musician, will be honored by friends, 
family, and the citizens of the Greater Flint area.
  A native of Flint, MI, Mr. Mitchell's musical studies began in 1948 
at the Flint community schools' Whittier Junior High School. It was the 
start of a dynamic and sensational 50-year musical career.
  This self-taught jazz musician graduated from Flint Central High 
School in 1948. During the years that followed, Mr. Mitchell continued 
to develop his talent by playing everything from blues and jazz to 
classical music. He performed on the trombone, oboe, saxophone, drums 
and bass, working as a soloist, section player, sideman, and band 
leader.
  He wrote and arranged the musical portion of the Public Broadcasting 
Service series ``Black Biography,'' which aired in 1983. In 1988, Mr. 
Mitchell was commissioned to compose and score music for a television 
special on the American Broadcasting Co. That same year, he composed 
and recorded a nationally reviewed record album entitled ``Far From 
Tranquil.'' In addition, he wrote the score for a second album, ``Once 
Upon a Lifetime,'' which was released in 1992.
  Mr. Mitchell has performed with many outstanding jazz artists 
including J.C. Heard, Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, Joe Henderson, and 
Errol Garner. He is a regular at the Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival and 
has performed in Mexico, Canada, and Europe.
  For 50 golden years, Sherman Mitchell has been Flint's jazz 
ambassador. His commitment to the Flint community is evident by the 
fact that he has passed up numerous opportunities in order to remain 
there to raise a family and start a musical instrument repair business. 
He never refuses to perform for community events, and often does so 
gratis. Mitchell's unique style is echoed by the many aspiring and 
successful musicians who began their own careers as members of one of 
his combos.
  And so, I would like to commend Sherman Mitchell for his tremendous 
commitment and musical contribution to the people of Flint, MI. His 
presence has been an inspiration to all lovers of music, from pre-
schoolers to golden-agers. I am happy to join with his family, and 
colleagues in wishing him well as he enters this new phase in his 
life.

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