Irving Mills

[Hardbopjazz]

Today I was listening to a number of Duke Ellington CDs. I noticed Irving Mills has several writing credits on a number Ellington tunes. I highly doubt Mills had a hand in writing these pieces; after all he was Duke's manager and publisher. Is this just another case, similar to a band leader putting his name on a tune someone in the band wrote, or something else? With Ellington such a major force in the music business, why did he allow it? He could have gone to almost any other publisher, or even started his own publishing company.

Anyone have some insight to this?

[marcello]

Mills, brought much recognition to Duke and promoted him as a sophisticated performer and composer.

What Duke had to give up for that promotion, was his business.

Read this book, for some honest insight to their relationship:

[JSngry]

The Barry Ulanov bio says something about how at some point, Duke walked in, asked to see the books, had a look, walked out, and that was that.

[Chuck Nessa]

It is really easy to paint operators like Mills and Lester Melrose as bad guys. The reality is much more complex.

These cd collections are worth searching for:

[medjuck]

Mills is also credited as composer of "St.James Infirmary" !!. Probably because he managed Cab Calloway but Cab wasn't the first to record it and the earlier recording lists a different composer. It's apparently a true folk song.

[AllenLowe]

Gambler's Lament is the original title; there's even a Jimmie Rodgers version.

[danasgoodstuff]

Mills is also credited as composer of "St.James Infirmary" !!. Probably because he managed Cab Calloway but Cab wasn't the first to record it and the earlier recording lists a different composer. It's apparently a true folk song.

Yes it is, and like most folk songs it has a lot of varients, some of which are collected here: the unfortunate rake (to say nothing of the hoe)

[Hardbopjazz]

Mills, brought much recognition to Duke and promoted him as a sophisticated performer and composer.

What Duke had to give up for that promotion, was his business.

Read this book, for some honest insight to their relationship:

Thanks Tom, I found a copy of this book on Amazon and ordered it today.

[johnlitweiler]

It is really easy to paint operators like Mills and Lester Melrose as bad guys. The reality is much more complex.

Chuck, I'd like to read something nice about Lester Melrose. Where should I look?

[AllenLowe]

in Melrose's diary.