Ellis Larkins?
Mark Whippey
I inherited when my father died, that I'd never really listened to. When
I played it I was really taken with the style and I'd like to find out
some more about the artist.
The LP is called "Manhattan at Midnight" by Ellis Larkins (with rhythm
accompaniment) and isn't really jazz, it's sort of night club music
(although Larkins is clearly influenced by jazz). I'd guess it was
recorded in the early fifties.
It consists of Larkins (piano) playing his way through fifteen tunes,
linked together with what are probably semi-improvised passages, and
occasionally being joined by guitar and drums (no musician credits on the
sleeve). The tunes are mainly show tunes and standards, played not
straight and not jazz, but somewhere in between.
I'd really like to know if he recorded any more albums, and anything else
that is known about him. Anyone out there heard of him?
Mark
2 jazz pagans
>I'd really like to know if he recorded any more albums...
He's one of the "Live at the Maybeck Recital Hall" pianists on Concord,
and he also appears on "Lullabies of Birdland" (Chris Connor, Bethlehem
CD) and "The Talk of the Town" (Helen Humes, Columbia LP--don't know if
it's available on CD).
- JRB
NaTrav
The Ella Fitzgerald release "Pure Ella" ('94 Decca/GRP) is an exquisite
collection of just Ella and Ellis together. That incredible voice with
Ellis' beautiful accompaniment are magic.
Travis
Mark Whippey
The Ella/Ellis one sounds right up my street, and I'll look out for the
others too.
Mark
mayam
: I'd really like to know if he recorded any more albums, and anything else
: that is known about him. Anyone out there heard of him?
I think his most recent album is a solo piano work in the Live From
Maybeck series.
BIRDBUD
scene over the past 40 years or so. He became most well known when he
recorded a (then) 10" lp for Decca accompanying Ella Fitzgerald, called
Ella Sings Gershwin. He became in demand as an accompanist for every
great jazz singer, from Joe Williams to Carmen MacRae, etc, etc. His very
distinctive style set him apart from most of his contemporaries. He has
several albums out on vinyl, some of which have been reissued on CD. My
own favorite is called The Velvet Touch, a 12" lp on Decca, consisting of
all Victor Young tunes.
For many years, he was the regular pianist at the now defunct Carnegie
Tavern in back of Carnegie Hall, and on any given night the audience would
be filled with musicians and singers. He lives in Baltimore and
occasionally comes North for concert dates.
I think his first regular job in Manhattan was as replacement for Erroll
Garner on an old daily radio show on WHN (in the 40s) called The Gloom
Dodgers, hosted by Morey Amsterdam.
Does the above answer your question?
TornCot
regarded as one of the finest vocal accompanists in Jazz, Larkins is a
fine solo player, right up there with Dave McKenna as an interpreter of
standards. He had a long and famous residency at a bar in New York called,
I believe, The Knickerbocker and frequently backed the vocalist Anita
Ellis. Larkins' Maybeck disc is a fine one, a standout in the series.
Dave Krugman (with his cat,Satch)
terence e martin
vanishes (the first duets which are not yet reissued are even better).
terry martin
jazz institute of chicago archives
Paul Shapiro
on CD as "Pure Ella" from MCA/GRP). It's truly a classic album and one of
our favorites---I know--we've had it on vinyl for years and it's worn
out.
The CD contains both the Gershwin album and another album recorded
in duo with Ellis Larkins. Get a copy of it---you'll love it.
Paul
Ted Thompson
Vocalists literally swore by Ellis. His accompaniment of Ella produced,
in my opinion, her finest work.
Ted
James McLaughlin
His best was for Mildred Bailey, on the 1946 Majestic sides, especially
'Lover Come Back To Me'!
J. McLaughlin
Trc973
I recently bought a CD with Lee Wiley and Ellis Larkins. They are mixed
together on one CD. It is "Lee Wiley -Ellis Larkins Dialogue". The label
is Black Lion BLCD 760911. I bought it for the Lee Wiley. Larkins plays
piano solo on :"Looking at You", "By Myself", " Perfume & Rain" , "Then
I'll be tired of you". I had never heard any of these songs, but the
playing is good.
According to the insert, Larkins was a grad. of Julliard and began
playing jazz in NY in 1940.
I got the CD at Tower records in San Mateo, CA. I note that Black Lion ius
a West German label, so you should be able to find it in the UK
Tom Carney
george gardner
forties. There is a lovely Savoy CD that features Bailey with Larkins
and associated groups. Well worth having.
Paul Shapiro
(fs...@aurora.alaska.edu)