Don Ellis

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Don Ellis (July 25, 1934 - December 17, 1978) was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer and leader of big bands who consistently explored the area of unusual time signatures. He held a Teacher's Certificate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Later in his short life he worked as a film composer, among other works contributing a brilliant score to 1971's The French Connection.

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[edit] Influence on Jazz

Following the golden era of big band music, Don Ellis pushed the envelope of jazz by exploring unusual musical techniques including odd time signatures, electric string instruments, the human voice as an instrument, echoplex, fusion of Indian music and jazz, and the Rhodes piano.

Eschewing the standard 3/4 and 4/4 meters, Ellis' band made the use of odd time signatures their trademark, and could skillfully play in 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 33 times.

Ellis played 4-valve horns built by Holton that were capable of playing quarter tones. He experimented with Echoplex tape delay, octave followers, and ring modulators for psychedelic effects. The Don Ellis At Fillmore album captures him using these (perhaps to excess) and the rock-oriented crowd responds enthusiastically.

In addition to his musical playing talents, Ellis also placed great importance on teaching music. He formed a youth band in Los Angeles, led by Glenn Ferris on trombone, to help ensure a ready supply of replacement talent for his main band. Artists such as Stu' Blumberg further credit Ellis for preparing them for the idiosyncrasies of unconventional music in film soundtracks. Tenor player Jim Snodgrass remarked, "I think in many ways Don was a teacher. One thing his music taught me was that I could play anything I absolutely had to."

The energizing nature of the music itself was a major influence on new musicians, inspiring young players to pursue music as a career after hearing the Don Ellis Orchestra.

[edit] Don Ellis Band

An example of the typical configuration of the band was seen at the Monterey Festival:

  • Trumpets: Don Ellis, Glenn Stuart, Alan Weight, Ed Warren, Paul Lopez
  • Trombones: Dave Wells, Ron Myers
  • Bass Trombone: Terry Woodson
  • Alto-soprano flute: Ruben Leon
  • Alto-saxello-flute: Tom Scott
  • Tenor-clarinets: Ira Schulman, Ron Starr
  • Baritone-clarinet: John McGruder
  • Organ/piano: Dave Mackay
  • Basses: Ray Neopolitan, Chuck Domanico, Frank De la Rosa
  • Guitar: Jay Graydon
  • Drums: Steve Bohannon, Alan Estes
  • Conga: Chino Valdes

[edit] Recordings

  • New Sounds for the '60s [unreleased] (Enrica, 1960)
  • ...How Time Passes... (Candid, 1960)
  • Out of Nowhere (Candid, 1961)
  • New Ideas (Prestige, 1961)
  • Essence (Pacific Jazz, 1962)
  • Jazz Jamboree 1962 (Muza, 1962)
  • Don Ellis Orchestra Live at Monterey (Pacific Jazz, 1966)
  • Live in 3 2/3 4 (Pacific Jazz, 1966)
  • Electric Bath (Columbia, 1967)
  • Shock Treatment (Columbia, 1968)
  • Autumn (Columbia, 1968)
  • The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground (Columbia, 1969)
  • Don Ellis at Fillmore (Columbia, 1970)
  • Tears of Joy (Columbia, 1971)
  • Connection (Columbia, 1972)
  • Soaring (MPS, 1973)
  • Haiku (MPS, 1973)
  • Music from Other Galaxies and Planets (Atlantic, 1977)
  • Live at Montreux (Atlantic, 1977)
  • "The French Connection / French Connection II" (Film Score Monthly)

Ellis also appeared on dozens of other albums with artists including Maynard Ferguson, George Russell, and Frank Zappa.

[edit] External links

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