Irving Mills
1894–1985 (age 91)
Music Publisher/Songwriter
Biography
Irving Mills, born in 1894, rose to prominence as a music publisher and songwriter whose keen instincts helped popularize jazz across the globe, partnering with artists such as Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway to bring big-band music into the mainstream. His entrepreneurial vision opened doors for countless performers.
He founded a publishing house that nurtured composers, advocated for fair contracts, and generously supported the musicians who trusted him; his remains lie at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, a testament to the enduring rhythms he championed.