Herb Ellis 1921-2010

[brownie]

The JazzWest Coast forum says 'Herb Ellis died peacefully in his sleep last night'.

A Facebook page has been opened in memory of Herb Ellis

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Not that I was a great fan, but I'll play "Della Reese live" later.

RIP.

MG

[king ubu]

Not a great fan maybe, but a fan I am! "Nothing But the Blues" is a wonderful session, and there's plenty of fine Ellis with Oscar Peterson, too!

But I confess, I had no idea he was still around

r.i.p.

[marcello]

[J.A.W.]

Sad news. Liked his playing.

[Brownian Motion]

I enjoy many of the sides Herb made for Concord Jazz, particularly "The Great Guitars" series with Barney Kessel and Charlie Byrd. Thanks for everything but "Meet the Flintstones", Herb.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Thanks for everything but "Meet the Flintstones", Herb.

Did he write that? I knew he wrote "Detour ahead".

I can't see anything wrong with "Meet the Flintstones" - it's what it is.

MG

[Dan Gould]

He definitely enlivened any date he appeared on - they are probably hard to find at this point but he recorded Roll Call as a leader for Justice Records, easily recommended, with Mel Rhyne on organ.

RIP.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

He definitely enlivened any date he appeared on - they are probably hard to find at this point but he recorded Roll Call as a leader for Justice Records, easily recommended, with Mel Rhyne on organ.

RIP.

Never heard of that one. Interesting.

MG

[brownie]

The Oscar Peterson trio never sounded better than when Herb Ellis and Ray Brown locked the music along Peterson!

'On the Town', 'At the Stradford Shakespearean Festival' and 'At the Concertgebouw' display the trio music at its best!

[B. Goren.]

Sad news. Rest in peace Mr. Ellis.

[sonnymax]

I really enjoyed seeing Ellis perform with the Great Guitars while I attended Berklee in the 70s.

Unlike most of the "guitar heroes" of the time, Herb and his compatriots never overplayed.

They performed with skill, wit, and humor.

RIP Herb.

[Brownian Motion]

Thanks for everything but "Meet the Flintstones", Herb.

Did he write that? I knew he wrote "Detour ahead".

I can't see anything wrong with "Meet the Flintstones" - it's what it is.

MG

I don't think he wrote it, but he seemed to enjoy playing it. I find it a highly irritating melody that lodges in my brain like a splinter.

[mjzee]

Big fan here. He made many fine, tasty albums. Some favorites:

RIP, Mr. Ellis. Swing easy.

[Cyril]

Sad news.

R.I.P. Mr. Ellis.

[John Tapscott]

I really liked Herb's playing, and the blues feeling he brought to everything, not really overt, but there was always a subtle undercurrent of the blues. Will be listening to some Herb later today in tribute. And that Roll Call CD on Justice that Dan metioned is very good indeed.

[Big Al]

Shocked at first, but then I realized how long he's been around. RIP fellow Texan, and thanks for all the wonderful music!

(Recently, I was looking at the booklet that accompanies the Complete Norman Granz Jam Sessions box, and was looking at the roster of players, and who all was still around at the time the box was issued. Herbie was the last living player from those sessions.)

[Peter Friedman]

I have long enjoyed Herb's playing. I will pull a CD or two of his to play today and tomorrow.

R.I.P. Herb

[Hot Ptah]

He was a great, enjoyable player.

It's not that the Down Beat Hall of Fame has any credibility, but it occurs to me that if Mr. Ellis had played saxophone or trumpet he would almost automatically be enshrined this year by either the Critics or the Readers.

There is a real bias in the Down Beat Hall of Fame against guitarists, bassists and drummers. Many of the great players on each instrument are not members, while some lesser lights on instruments that one blows into, are members.

[JSngry]

Just remembered that he was at some jazz clinic I attended during my high school years, probably around 1973-74...what struck me most was that I wasn't used to seeing a guy who looked like him (i.e. - white, middle aged, dressed kind of "square"), acting like he acted, talking like he talked, and playing like he played. I thought it all a bit "interesting", but now that I'm about the same age that he was then, it makes more sense.

[fusion07]

The JazzWest Coast forum says 'Herb Ellis died peacefully in his sleep last night'.

A Facebook page has been opened in memory of Herb Ellis

Would someone be kind enough to post a link to that announcement...so far I can't find it. Thanks.

[sidewinder]

More sad news - RIP. 'Herb Ellis Meets Jimmy Giuffre' will be played later tonight.

[Ted O'Reilly]

Thanks for everything but "Meet the Flintstones", Herb.

Did he write that? I knew he wrote "Detour ahead".

I can't see anything wrong with "Meet the Flintstones" - it's what it is.

MG

I don't think he wrote it, but he seemed to enjoy playing it. I find it a highly irritating melody that lodges in my brain like a splinter.

I've found a lot of jazz musicians play it -- it's I Got Rhythm changes, so it's as universal as the blues. since everyone in the audience knows the Flintstones Theme, it's a connection with the half of the crowd that knows naught about the music.

(lyrics removed for copyright reasons)

[danasgoodstuff]

You forgot:

WILMA!!!!!

[Big Al]

(lyrics removed for copyright reasons)

I never knew that was what they were singing!