Irving Mills: Biography

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• Ruth Etting
• Isham Jones
• State Street Ramblers
• Annette Hanshaw
• The Original Memphis Five
• Clifford Hayes
• Freddie Keppard

• Irving Gordon
• Helen Oakley Dance
• Mitchell Parish

• Jimmy McHugh

• Harry Carney
• Cootie Williams
• Bubber Miley
• Duke Ellington
• Johnny Hodges
• Fred Guy
• Wellman Braud

Born:

Dec 31, 1969 in New York, NY

Died:

Apr 21, 1985 in Palm Springs, CA

Genres:

Classical Music, Classic Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1920's|1930's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

Irving Mills did a great deal to help jazz, making himself a great deal of money in the process. He is most famous for his work as manager for Duke Ellington during 19261939, helping Ellington gain his job at the Cotton Club, in addition to securing numerous recording sessions and important engagements. He also wrote the lyrics to some of Ellington's songs, including "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got That Swing," "Mood Indigo," and "Sophisticated Lady." He had earlier worked with his brother, Jack, in establishing a music publishing business that became Mills Music, Inc. Mills also promoted Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Jimmie Lunceford, and Don Redman, and appeared as a singer on many sessions (including some with Ellington). He put together allstar recording groups under the names of the Whoopee Makers and Irving Mills' Hotsy Totsy Gang (19281930) and in 1931 became the manager for an orchestra, which he renamed the Mills Blue Rhythm Band. After breaking with Ellington in 1939, Irving Mills maintained a lower profile, but stayed active in management and music publishing into the 1960s.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide