From New York's Birdland, Basin Street East, and the Village Vanguard, Gordon 'Whitey' Mitchell toured with big band greats Benny Goodman and Pete Rugolo. He played Carnegie Hall with Gene Krupa and appeared with Buddy Rich, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie on Jazz at the Philharmonic. He worked with Andre Precin, Charlie Ventura, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, Jack Jones and recorded with Barbra Streisand and Anita O'Day. He can be heard playing the bass solo introduction on the hit record, Stand By Me.