Ellis Larkins

Ellis Larkins (May 15, 1923 – September 30, 2002) 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). 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. 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. He recorded with Coleman Hawkins, and Dicky Wells in the 1940s. In the 1950s, he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Braff, and Beverly Kenney. 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 15, 1923 (Baltimore), Died September 29, 2002 (Baltimore)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1943 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, celeste, leader

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D7VB-0154 10-in. 2/20/1947 That ain't right Mildred Bailey ; Ellis Larkins Trio Female vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, piano, leader  
Victor D7VB-0155 10-in. 2/20/1947 I don't wanna miss Mississippi (anymore) Mildred Bailey ; Ellis Larkins Trio Female vocal solo, with guitar, piano, and string bass instrumentalist, piano, leader  
Decca 72177 10-in. 5/25/1944 Hurry hurry Lucky Millinder Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72178 10-in. 5/25/1944 Darlin' Lucky Millinder Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72179 10-in. 5/25/1944 I can't see for lookin' Lucky Millinder Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72180 10-in. 5/25/1944 Who threw the whiskey in the well Lucky Millinder Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72181 10-in. 5/25/1944 Lover man Lucky Millinder Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72733 10-in. 2/8/1945 You must be blind Ida James instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72734 10-in. 2/8/1945 I won't say but I won't Ida James instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73128 10-in. 11/14/1945 I left a good deal in Mobile Josh White instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73129 10-in. 11/14/1945 Did you ever leave a woman? Josh White instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76823 9/11/1950 Looking for a boy Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76824 9/11/1950 My one and only love Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76825 9/11/1950 How long has this been going on? Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76826 9/11/1950 I've got a crush on you Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76834 9/12/1950 But not for me Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76835 9/12/1950 Soon Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76836 9/12/1950 Someone to watch over me Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 76837 9/12/1950 Maybe Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81109 6/1/1951 Tonight you belong to me Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81110 6/1/1951 These things I offer you Tamara Hayes instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81195 6/21/1951 Between the devil and the deep blue sea Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81196 6/21/1951 I gotta right to sing the blues Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81197 6/21/1951 Blues in the night Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 81198 6/21/1951 One for my baby (and one more for the road) Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82089 1/9/1952 Over the rainbow Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82090 1/9/1952 Stormy weather Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82091 1/9/1952 Come rain or come shine Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 82092 1/9/1952 Ill wind Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86087 3/29/1954 I'm glad there is you Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86088 3/29/1954 (Baby) What else could I do? Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86089 3/29/1954 What is there to say Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86090 3/29/1954 Makin' whoopee Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86091 3/29/1954 Until the real thing comes along Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86092 3/29/1954 People will say we're in love Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86093 3/30/1954 Please be kind Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86094 3/30/1954 Imagination Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86095 3/30/1954 My heart belongs to Daddy Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86096 3/30/1954 You leave me breathless Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86097 3/30/1954 Nice work if you can get it Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 86098 3/30/1954 Stardust Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103854 12/2/1957 (I don't stand a) Ghost of a chance-1 Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103855 12/2/1957 Stella by starlight Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103856 12/2/1957 When I fall in love Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103857 12/2/1957 Love letters Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103858 12/2/1957 My foolish heart Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103859 12/2/1957 Where can I go without you? Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103866 12/2/1957 It's magic Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103867 12/2/1957 A-You're adorable Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103868 12/2/1957 Time was ; It's so peaceful inside Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103869 12/2/1957 A Summer romance Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103870 12/2/1957 Try a little tenderness Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103871 12/2/1957 What is there to say Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103872 12/2/1957 A lover like you Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103873 12/2/1957 It's a most unusual day Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103874 12/2/1957 You're my boy Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103875 12/2/1957 What it's like in Paris Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103876 12/2/1957 Sing a rainbow Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 103877 12/2/1957 Brooklyn love song Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104190 1/23/1958 Blue star-1 Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano, celeste  
Decca 104191 1/23/1958 Golden earrings Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104192 1/23/1958 Sweet Sue, just you-2 Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104193 1/23/1958 Love me Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104194 1/23/1958 Can't we talk it over?-2 Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104195 1/23/1958 A love like this-1 Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano, celeste  
Decca 104211 1/28/1958 Do it again Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104212 1/28/1958 A woman's intuition Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104213 1/28/1958 Life can be beautiful Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 104214 1/28/1958 Mama do I gotta? Beverly Kenney instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107792 7/22/1959 A ship without a sail Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107793 7/22/1959 In love in vain Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107794 7/22/1959 Who can I turn to? Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107795 7/22/1959 Moon and sand Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107796 7/22/1959 Always you Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107797 7/22/1959 Ecstasy Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107798 7/24/1959 Just Arlene Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107799 7/24/1959 Now Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107800 7/24/1959 Down with love Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107801 7/24/1959 Good for nothin' Joe Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107802 7/24/1959 Wrap your troubles in dreams Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 107803 7/24/1959 I'm forever blowing bubbles Ellis Larkins instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1905 10-in. 12/8/1943 Voodte Coleman Hawkins Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1906 10-in. 12/8/1943 How deep is the ocean Coleman Hawkins Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1907 10-in. 12/8/1943 Hawkins barrelhouse Coleman Hawkins Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1908 10-in. 12/8/1943 Stumpy Coleman Hawkins Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1917 12/18/1943 Lover come back to me Coleman Hawkins Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1918 10-in. 12/18/1943 Indiana Coleman Hawkins Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1919 10-in. 12/21/1943 Linger awhile Dicky Wells Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1920 10-in. 12/21/1943 Hello babe Dicky Wells Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-19001 12/18/1943 Blues changes Coleman Hawkins Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-19002 12/18/1943 These foolish things Coleman Hawkins Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-19003 12-in. 12/21/1943 I got rhythm Dicky Wells Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-19004 12-in. 12/21/1943 I'm fer it too Dicky Wells Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2895 10-in. 12/4/1944 Opus 15 The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2896 10-in. 12/4/1944 The Sheik of Araby The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2897 10-in. 12/4/1944 Night and day The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2898 10-in. 12/4/1944 The man I love The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2899 10-in. 12/4/1944 Face The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2900 10-in. 12/4/1944 I want to be happy The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2901 10-in. 12/4/1944 Rompin' in 44 The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2902 10-in. 12/4/1944 Caravan The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 2903 10-in. 12/4/1944 Besame mucho (Kiss me much) The Edmond Hall Sexet instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Larkins, Ellis," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

Larkins, Ellis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

"Larkins, Ellis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913

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