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From extensive touring to writing hits to playing with some of blues’ finest, Jimmy “Preacher” Ellis pushed the boundaries throughout his fifty-plus year career. Born in rural Arkansas, Ellis found music through the church and Grand Old Opry. He cut his teeth playing the harp and singing in church choirs, first in Arkansas and later in Seattle. In Seattle, Ellis joined the Traveling Four, a singing group that toured extensively until the mid-’50s. Ellis subsequently formed the doo-wop group The Centuries, and later embarked on a solo blues career, collaborating with artists the likes of Ferdinand “Fats” Washington, Big Mama Thornton, and Lowell Fulson. His Kris Records singles “Two Tenors – A Tone and a Bone” b/w “(C’mon) Dance To The Drumbeat” and “Trouble All Over The Land” b/w “Put Your Hoe (To My Row)” earned him ample gigs at the time.
Throughout the ’70s and early ’80s, Ellis became something of a jetsetter. He left L.A. to play at the Swing Club in Honolulu, only to return to the mainland in 1974. As the music scene became saturated with disco, reducing the demand for live musicians, Ellis adapted and began to play Country and Western. In the early ’80s, he moved to Oklahoma, where he formed his own band and supported Albert King, Johnnie, and Little Johnny Taylor.
Even in the 1990s and early aughts, Ellis released two CDs. Throughout his illustrious career, he never lost hope that one day, his music might break through into the mainstream.
Throughout the ’70s and early ’80s, Ellis became something of a jetsetter. He left L.A. to play at the Swing Club in Honolulu, only to return to the mainland in 1974. As the music scene became saturated with disco, reducing the demand for live musicians, Ellis adapted and began to play Country and Western. In the early ’80s, he moved to Oklahoma, where he formed his own band and supported Albert King, Johnnie, and Little Johnny Taylor.
Even in the 1990s and early aughts, Ellis released two CDs. Throughout his illustrious career, he never lost hope that one day, his music might break through into the mainstream.
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