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Ellen Starr
Ellen began her performance career as a jazz pianist and singer, but became active in the worlds of pop music, radio and TV advertising. She wrote an award winning Pepsi jingle, "Pepsi People Feeling Free," later used in Spike Lee's film "Crooklyn." She also arranged an album for Aretha Franklin for Columbia Records, "Today I Sing the Blues."
Working in New York's recording studios as composer, arranger, pianist and jingle singer alongside such people as Barry Manilow, Valerie Simpson and Melissa Manchester, she arranged a tune for Ronnie Dyson that reached the charts at #8. The song was "Why Can't I Touch You?" from the musical "Hair." She also played in the pit orchestra in such Broadway musicals as "Promises, Promises," and "Hair."
Ellen has composed scores for two Off-Broadway musicals: (1) "One Step at A Time," music and lyrics by Ellen Starr and Kevin Gavin; lyrics and book by Kevin Gavin and Wayne Lammers; (2) "Upon My Word," music by Ellen Starr, lyrics and book by Alec Coiro. Both shows have been produced and performed multiple times.
A graduate of Oberlin College, Ellen studied with Stanley Cowell, Barry Harris and Kenny Barron. Recently she relocated to the San Francisco Bay area, where she now performs, records and teaches. To mark the occasion of her cross-country move, Dancing Spirit Records has just released Ellen's debut jazz CD, "Lucky People," in which she is featured as vocalist, pianist, arranger and composer.
Awards
Composer of award-winning jingle for Pepsi: "Pepsi People Feeling Free,"
Gear
Yahama P90 keyboard
Tags
"Really fine vocal/instrumental jazz...Ellen Starr's singing is just lovely--no frills or b.s., very hornlike, intonation right on, and each song's feeling is beautifully conveyed. Her piano playing is excellent...really this is terrific-- I'm just knocked out! (Marvin Stamm, jazz trumpeter)
Primary Instrument
Vocals
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
I'm a piano teacher and vocal coach and arranger at Singers Forum (www.singersforum.org) at 49 West 24th street in Manhattan, as well as teaching privately.