Charles Mills

Charles Mills (January 8, 1914 – March 7, 1982) was an American composer and music critic. A skilled woodwind player with a background as a jazz musician in his young adulthood, he was a prolific composer for the recorder The music of his childhood, folk songs native to the Carolinas and African-American spirituals, later became influences in his adult compositions. He was also heavily influenced by the jazz of the dance orchestras he played in during the 1920s. He died in New York City on March 7, 1982.