Background
Fields was born in 1932 to James and Etta Fields, in Towson, Maryland and was one of seven children.
Fields was born in 1932 to James and Etta Fields, in Towson, Maryland and was one of seven children.
He is recognised as one of Baltimore"s most well-known jazz saxophonists and was a mentor to many other jazz musicians. Mickey created the "Monday Night Jam Session" at the Sportsman"s Lounge, which allowed many young up and coming jazz musicians to perform onstage with him. He was also known for his constant encouragement of young artists.
At an early age, Fields realized that he was naturally musically gifted.
He had "perfect pitch" and was a self-taught musician, playing just about every instrument he could get his hands on. At the age of 14, he taught himself how to play the saxophone.
When Mickey found it in the closet, he knew that was the instrument for him. Fields began his career with the jump blues band The Tilters.
As a solo artist, he recorded on Atlantic Records and Groove Merchant.
The Tilters played for the great Ethel Ennis. Fields later recorded several songs with his group "Mickey Fields and His Mice", entitled "The Cracker Jack", known as one of the top 100 funkiest songs ever and the popular "Little Green Apples". He later recorded an album with the great Richard "Groove" Holmes, recorded at the Left Bank.
Fields also performed with his very talented sister, Shirley Fields, who was the lead singer for many years and also a big fixture in the jazz society in Baltimore.
He has also been recognised as a major musician of the swing era. Fields was later inducted into the Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore, Maryland as one of the greatest jazz saxophonists ever known.
Fields"s musical influence still lives on today through his recordings and countless proteges here in Baltimore and throughout the world.
Another member of the Tilters was Howard Earl Washington, a Baltimore-area jazz drummer.