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 1-25 of 102 records)

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  
(Results 1-25 of 102 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Larkins, Ellis," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

Larkins, Ellis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.

"Larkins, Ellis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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