Page "Duke Ellington" Paragraph 17

In 1927, Ellington made a career-advancing agreement with agent-publisher Irving Mills, giving Mills a 45 % interest in Ellington's future.

Mills had an eye for new talent and early on published compositions by Hoagy Carmichael, Dorothy Fields, and Harold Arlen.

During the 1930s, Ellington's popularity continued to increase – largely as a result of the promotional skills of Mills – who got more than his fair share of co-composer credits.

From the beginning of their relationship, Mills arranged recording sessions on nearly every label including Brunswick, Victor, Columbia, OKeh, Perfect, Pathe, the ARC / Plaza group of labels ( Cameo, Romeo, Lincoln, Oriole, Domino, Jewel, Banner ), Hit of the Week, and Columbia's cheaper labels ( Harmony, Diva, Velvet Tone, Clarion ) labels which gave Ellington popular recognition, as well giving Ellington's fans the opportunity of hearing multiple versions of the same song.

Ellington ended his association with Mills in 1937, although he continued to record under Mills ' banner through to 1940.