Ellis Larkins
Encyclopedia
Ellis Larkins was an African-American jazz
pianist
born in Baltimore, Maryland, perhaps best known for his two recordings with Ella Fitzgerald
, the albums Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) and Songs in a Mellow Mood
(1954).
Larkins was the first African American to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music, a well-known institute in Baltimore. He began his professional playing career in New York City
after moving there to attend the Juilliard School
. Following school Larkins performed jazz piano
with Billy Moore and Edmond Hall
. He recorded with Coleman Hawkins
, Mildred Bailey
, and Dicky Wells
in the 1940s. In the 1950s he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald and Ruby Braff. His 1960s work included recordings or performances with Eartha Kitt
, Joe Williams
, Helen Humes
, Georgia Gibbs
and Harry Belafonte
.
Though he was best known as an accompanist, Larkins recorded several solo albums in the 1950s. In the 1970s he performed regularly at several New York venues, including Gregory's a small bar in the east 70s.
Traditional jazz fans regard him as one of the most lyrical and romantic pianists in jazz history, next to Jimmy Jones
.
With Ella Fitzgerald
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
born in Baltimore, Maryland, perhaps best known for his two recordings with Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
, the albums Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) and Songs in a Mellow Mood
Songs in a Mellow Mood
Songs in a Mellow Mood is a 1954 studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by the pianist Ellis Larkins.The complete album was re-issued as part of the 1994 MCA Records CD, Pure Ella.-Track listing:Side One...
(1954).
Larkins was the first African American to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music, a well-known institute in Baltimore. He began his professional playing career in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
after moving there to attend the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
. Following school Larkins performed jazz piano
Jazz piano
Jazz piano is a collective term for the techniques pianists use when playing jazz. The piano has been an integral part of the jazz idiom since its inception, in both solo and ensemble settings. Its role is multifaceted due largely to the instrument's combined melodic and harmonic capabilities...
with Billy Moore and Edmond Hall
Edmond Hall
Edmond Hall was an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader. His father Edward Blainey Hall and mother Caroline Duhe had eight children, Priscilla , Moretta , Viola , Robert , Edmond , Clarence , Edward and Herbert .-Early life:Born in Reserve, Louisiana, about...
. He recorded with Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Hawkins was one of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument. As Joachim E. Berendt explained, "there were some tenor players before him, but the instrument was not an acknowledged jazz horn"...
, Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey
Mildred Bailey was a popular and influential American jazz singer during the 1930s, known as "The Rockin' Chair Lady" and "Mrs. Swing"...
, and Dicky Wells
Dicky Wells
William Wells, , more famous under the name of Dicky Wells , was an American jazz trombonist....
in the 1940s. In the 1950s he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald and Ruby Braff. His 1960s work included recordings or performances with Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Mae Kitt was an American singer, actress, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit recordings of "C'est Si Bon" and the enduring Christmas novelty smash "Santa Baby." Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the...
, Joe Williams
Joe Williams (jazz singer)
Joe Williams was a well-known jazz vocalist, a baritone singing a mixture of blues, ballads, popular songs, and jazz standards.-Early life:...
, Helen Humes
Helen Humes
Helen Humes was an American jazz and blues singer.Humes was successively a teenaged blues singer, band vocalist with Count Basie, saucy R&B diva and a mature interpreter of the classy popular song.-Career:...
, Georgia Gibbs
Georgia Gibbs
Georgia Gibbs was an American popular singer and vocal entertainer rooted in jazz. Already singing publicly in her early teens, Gibbs first achieved acclaim in the mid-1950s interpreting songs originating with the black rhythm and blues community and later as a featured vocalist on a long list of...
and Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte
Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
.
Though he was best known as an accompanist, Larkins recorded several solo albums in the 1950s. In the 1970s he performed regularly at several New York venues, including Gregory's a small bar in the east 70s.
Traditional jazz fans regard him as one of the most lyrical and romantic pianists in jazz history, next to Jimmy Jones
Jimmy Jones (pianist)
James Henry "Jimmy" Jones was an American jazz pianist and arranger.-Biography:...
.
Select discography
With Ruby BraffRuby Braff
Reuben "Ruby" Braff was an American jazz trumpeter and cornetist. Jack Teagarden was once asked about him on the Gary Moore TV show and described Ruby as "The Ivy League Louis Armstrong."Braff was born in Boston...
- Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins: Calling Berlin, Vol. 1 (ArborsArbors RecordsArbors Records is an independent American jazz record label based in Clearwater, Florida. It was founded by the family team of Mat and Rachel Domber in 1989, initially devoted to the recordings of their friend Rick Fay.-History:...
) - Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins: Calling Berlin, Vol. 2 (Arbors)
- Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins: 2 Part Inventions in Jazz, Vanguard/Pye
With Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
- Ella Sings Gershwin (1950, DeccaDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
) - Songs in a Mellow MoodSongs in a Mellow MoodSongs in a Mellow Mood is a 1954 studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by the pianist Ellis Larkins.The complete album was re-issued as part of the 1994 MCA Records CD, Pure Ella.-Track listing:Side One...
(1954, Decca) - "You Turned the Tables on Me", "Nice Work If You Can Get It", "I've Got a Crush on You" on Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie HallNewport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie HallElla Fitzgerald at the Newport Jazz Festival: Live at Carnegie Hall is a 1973 live album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by a reconstructed Chick Webb Band, the pianist Ellis Larkins, and for the second half of the album, the Tommy Flanagan Quartet .This was a historic...
(1973, PabloPablo RecordsPablo Records was a record label founded by Norman Granz in 1972, some ten years after he had sold his jazz labels to MGM Records....
)