Mitchell Herbert Herb Ellis (1921-2010)
Herb Ellis
is another contemporary of Farlow,
Christian
and Wes. Unlike
those three though, he had an obvious country-ish influence
and sound (from Dallas, Texas!), even playing bebop. Ellis' swing feel, which comes from western and jazz (at the same time), is instantly
recognizable.
Herb's guitar journey began when he heard George Barnes on the radio: he picked up the instrument and immersed himself in jazz. Soon after, Herb Ellis went to college to major in music (which was very rare for the time) and never graduated because of financial struggles...
While still in school, he met with Jimmy Giuffre ... and finally heard the great Charlie Christian for the first time! It was a major turning point in his life... that basically "propelled" him into bebop!
In some liner notes we can read this interesting quote from Ellis :
"... the
first time I heard Charlie Christian I thought he really
wasn't so much, because I felt I could play faster than that.
Then after a few more times it really hit me, and I realized
that speed wasn't everything. I got quite emotional -- put my
guitar away and said I'd never play again. But the next day
I got it out and started to tried to play like Charlie."
wasn't so much, because I felt I could play faster than that.
Then after a few more times it really hit me, and I realized
that speed wasn't everything. I got quite emotional -- put my
guitar away and said I'd never play again. But the next day
I got it out and started to tried to play like Charlie."
Swing, Swing, Swing...
Career wise, Herb was a member of
Jimmy Dorsey's band in the 1940's (which was rather "big gig") and he's
known best for being part of the Oscar Peterson trio
(piano/guitar/bass) in the 1950's. It's those two bands that put him "on the map" so to speak.
After coming to prominence, Herb Ellis recorded and played with basically every "jazz star" in the business (and recorded many albums under his own name). He was a staple on the international jazz scene.
After coming to prominence, Herb Ellis recorded and played with basically every "jazz star" in the business (and recorded many albums under his own name). He was a staple on the international jazz scene.
Video, Licks and Transcriptions
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