Irving Townsend (November 27, 1920 – December 17, 1981)[3] was an American record producer and author.

He later served as president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States.

[4][5] Townsend, a former jazz bandleader, became an advertising copywriter for Columbia Records.

He then convinced George Avakian to have him assist on recording sessions, and by the mid-1950s he was a full-time producer.

[8] In 1975, Townsend wrote an article in The Atlantic Monthly called "Ellington in Private" detailing his meeting with Duke at Newport Jazz Festival in 1956 which led to Ellington's subsequent signing with Columbia.