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1930-March 13 Richard was born in Florida.
Blue played with Paul Williams in Florida
1950-His style becomes solidified during his stint with Earl Bostic's band. His earthy approach was enhanced by a gig on the road with a show headlined by Arthur Prysock, Sarah Vaughan and Al Hibbler.
1952-Blue plays on his first session lead by Lou Donaldson: including Art Blakey, and Horace Silver.
1957-He begins a 7 year association as a sideman with the Horace Silver Quintet including: Roy Brooks, Gene Taylor, and Junior Cook.
1958- Blue arrives in NYC from Florida. He is recommended to the producer of Riverside by Cannonball Adderly. He has his first album release with: Wynton Kelly, Wilber Ware, Philly Joe Jones, Curtis Fuller, and Johnny Griffin. He also records "Out of the Blue"
1959- Blue releases "Blue Soul".
1964-The long-standing Horace Silver group was disbanded. The members continued working together as they had during their time with Horace, primarily with Blue as the leader.
1967-69-Mitchell then returned to popular music, recording soul-jazz albums
1969-71-Blue toured with Ray Charles.
1971-73-He played with the blues-rock bandleader John Mayall.
1974-He worked as a freelance in Los Angeles, and played as a principal soloist with Tony Bennett and Lena Horne. He also performed in the big bands of Louie Bellson, Bill Holman, Capp-Pierce Juggernaut, and Bill Berry's L. A. Group Toshiko-Tabackin Big Bands along side Bobby Shew. During this time, he also played in post-bop groups, including a quintet with Richie Kamuca.
1975-77-During his final years he recorded a number of disco-jazz albums.
1975-78-Blue played in a bop quintet with Harold Land.
1979-May 21 blue passes away