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Lloyd Ellis

Lloyd Ellis remembers when Django Reinhardt 78's were brand new releases, not historical reissues. As a young teen he was playing on the radio in his hometown Pensacola, Florida and influenced by Reinhardt. He joined the Navy, during WWII, and was a member of the George Liberace band "Music Under The Stars", which entertained over 400,000 troops in the Pacific. After the war he settled in Los Angeles and for some years in Pheonix where he was active in studio and club work. Then he moved to Las Vegas and for 3 years he was a member of the Red Norvo Trio at the Tropicana Hotel. For the next seven years he was a member of various hotel house bands and backed such artists as: Liza Minnelli, Ann-Margaret, Barbara McNair, Eydie Gorme, Mitzi Gaynor, Steve Lawrence, Vic Damone, Robert Goulet, Liberace, Roger Williams, Phil Harris, Don Rickles, and Shecky Green. For twelve years, until 1988, Ellis was a member of the Pete Fountain Jazz group in New Orleans. They appeared each year at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan; Heinz Hall in Pittsburg,PA; Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, NY; Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga, NY; and the Blossom Music Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Also a command performance at the White House with President Reagan and an appearance for Pope John Paul II in New Orleans, LA. Television credits include the Boston Pops, Wolftrap, Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, and two Austin City Limits. Also two shows, "The Lloyd Ellis Jazz Quartet", for PBS and the same for National Public Radio. The DVD "I Just Wanted to Play" a documentary of Lloyd's musical career and various live performances is available from Kristina Weick. Email [email protected].

Gear

Gibson Johnny Smith Guitar, Lloyd purchased from Johnny Smith in 1974. Manufactured by Gibson in 1967.


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"Lloyd Ellis is something else, man. The things he does are unbelievable. Lloyd, Red Norvo, and Monk Montgomery had a drumless trio, but Lloyd's rhythum playing was so full that you'd swear you heard a drummer in there, too." B.B. King 1975 Guitar Player Magazine Cover Story. "Lloyd Ellis's lifelong attachment to the guitar is best put into perspective when one realizes that not only has the instrument been his sole occupation since adolescence, but that precious few guitarists alive today have been playing as long. Moreover, Ellis's playing is as vibrant today as ever." Dan Forte - Assistant Editor Guitar Player Magazine 1986

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