| Ellis Larkins | |
| Birth Date: | 15 May 1923 |
| Origin: | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Instrument: | Piano |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Associated Acts: | Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Braff, Eartha Kitt, Chris Connor, Beverly Kenney |
Ellis Larkins (May 15, 1923[1] - September 29, 2002)[2] was an American jazz pianist born in Baltimore, Maryland, known for his two recordings with Ella Fitzgerald: the albums Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) and Songs in a Mellow Mood (1954).[3] He was also the pianist on the first solo sides by singer Chris Connor on her album Chris (1954).
Larkins was the first African American to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music, an institute in Baltimore. He began his professional playing career in New York City after moving there to attend the Juilliard School.[1] While still at Juilliard, Larkins performed jazz piano with guitarist Billy Moore at Café Society Uptown and over the next ten years in his own groups, or in support of, clarinetist Edmond Hall and singers Helen Humes and Mildred Bailey.[4] He recorded with Coleman Hawkins, and Dicky Wells in the 1940s. In the 1950s, he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Braff, and Beverly Kenney.[1] His 1960s work included recordings or performances with Eartha Kitt, Joe Williams, 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 on the Upper East Side.
| Year recorded | Title | Label | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Blues in the Night | Decca | Solo piano; DL 5391, subtitled The Melodies of Harold Arlen | |
| 1954 | Perfume and Rain | Storyville | Solo piano[5] | |
| 1956 | Do Nothin’ ‘Til You Hear From Me | Storyville | Duo with Beverly Peer (bass)[6] | |
| 1956 | Manhattan at Midnight | Decca | Trio, with Art Ryerson (guitar), Beverly Peer (bass)[7] | |
| 1958 | Blue and Sentimental | Decca | Some tracks duo, with Joe Benjamin (bass); some tracks quartet | |
| 1970 | Lost in the Wood | Stanyan | Trio, with Al McKibbon (bass), Panama Francis (drums) | |
| 1977 | A Smooth One | Black & Blue | Trio, with George Duvivier (bass), J. C. Heard (drums)[8] | |
| 1990 | Ellis Larkins | DGTL | Some tracks solo piano; some tracks trio, with Bill Popp (bass), Jackie Williams (drums)[9] | |
| 1992 | Ellis Larkins at Maybeck | Concord Jazz | Solo piano; in concert[10] |
With Ruby Braff
With Anita Kert Ellis
With Ella Fitzgerald
With Beverly Kenney
With Sonny Stitt
With Joe Williams
. Cook . Richard . Richard Cook (journalist) . Morton . Brian . Brian Morton (Scottish writer) . . 2008 . 9th . . 978-0-141-03401-0 . 866 .
. Richard . Cook . Richard Cook (journalist) . Brian . Morton . Brian Morton (Scottish writer) . . 1996 . 3rd . . 978-0-14-051368-4 . 788.