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 101-102 of 102 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 101-102 of 102 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Larkins, Ellis," accessed April 27, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

Larkins, Ellis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 27, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

"Larkins, Ellis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 27 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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