An extensive collection of hot jazz music compiled by the Mills Brothers is set to be exhibited locally, thanks to the generous donation of vinyl albums, cassettes and compact discs from a New Jersey-based benefactor whose father was close, personal friends with the barrier-breaking band.
The Logan County History Center already features an homage to the Mills Brothers group, but that display is poised to grow immensely following the donation of a large collection of albums from Patrick Marra of New Jersey, whose father was personal friends with the musicians. (EXAMINER PHOTO | NATE SMITH)
The Logan County History Center is currently working on a brand-new Mills Brothers display, and is in the process of receiving more than 300 vinyl albums, 80 CDs and more than 40 books of old 78s and 33s featuring music from the world-renowned ensemble and their signature soft rhythm style.
The exhaustive collection is the product of a donation from Patrick Marra, a real-estate broker from New Jersey, whose father, Patrick Sr., befriended the band in Newark, N.J., in the 1930s, Mr. Marra said by telephone from his east coast office.
Coincidentally, the Logan County History Center also received another piece to add to the center’s collection of Mills Brothers items. This piece, delivered Friday, was a five-foot tall playbill poster for a Mills Brothers concert found last year by Barb and Mike Hart, right, in a home they acquired on Orchard Island. Local attorney Howard Traul II, left, handles the Springfield couple’s real estate transactions and suggested they donate the poster to the Logan County History Center. (EXAMINER PHOTO | JOEL E. MAST)
“Dad was a musician, too, and he attended a show, and got to go back stage and meet the Mills Brothers and they became friends,” he said. “My father knew them well, and they were pretty tight, actually.
“The collection built from there.” Born in Piqua, the Mills Brothers, John C., Herbert, Harry and Donald, spent much of their formative years in Bellefontaine.
Unfortunately, their family suffered several tragedies over the years. They lost a sister in the mid-1930s, and in 1936, John died of pneumonia at the family’s home in Bellefontaine.
An Ohio Historical Marker in Brown Park commemorates the Mills Brothers.
The boys’ father, John H., replaced his son as bass in the quartet. John H. continued to sing with the group until his retirement in the late 1950s. Afterward, the brothers continued as a trio.
Featuring a distinct harmonic sound, the Mills Brothers became world famous with songs like I’ll Be Around, Paper Doll, Smoke Rings and Cab Driver.
Tiger Rag was the group’s first big hit. Other big hits included, Glow Worm, You Always Hurt The One You Love, Till Then, Sweet Sue, Lazy River and Opus One.
Complete story and photos in Saturday’s Examiner.
CLICK HERE to subscribe today!
WEB EDITION STARTING AT $9.50 FOR 5 WEEKS!