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 (Results 26-50 of 102 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 26-50 of 102 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Larkins, Ellis," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

Larkins, Ellis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

"Larkins, Ellis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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