Ellis Larkins

Ellis Larkins (May 15, 1923 – September 29, 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 Baltimore (city in Maryland, United States), Died September 29, 2002 (Baltimore (city in Maryland, United States) )

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 (Results 26-50 of 116 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 26-50 of 116 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Larkins, Ellis," accessed January 5, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

Larkins, Ellis. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

"Larkins, Ellis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 5 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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