Irving Mills

Born - Jan 16, 1894   |   Died - Apr 21, 1985   |   Genres - Comedy Drama, Drama, Comedy

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Biography by Sandra Brennan

Songwriter Irving Mills and his brother, Jack, founded the Mills Music Publishing Company. In 1919, Irving founded the band that gave Glen Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman their starts as future band leaders. Mills also co-wrote such standards as "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street," "Sophisticated Lady," "Caravan," and "Minnie the Moocher." Mills was quite influential in helping Duke Ellington become a star. Others whom Mills assisted include Rudy Vallee, Cab Calloway, and Hoagy Carmichael.