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. |
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings
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 | |||
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 | |||
Decca | 103869 | 12/2/1957 | A Summer romance | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103870 | 12/2/1957 | Try a little tenderness | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103871 | 12/2/1957 | What is there to say | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103872 | 12/2/1957 | A lover like you | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103873 | 12/2/1957 | It's a most unusual day | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103874 | 12/2/1957 | You're my boy | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103875 | 12/2/1957 | What it's like in Paris | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103876 | 12/2/1957 | Sing a rainbow | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 103877 | 12/2/1957 | Brooklyn love song | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104190 | 1/23/1958 | Blue star-1 | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano, celeste | |||
Decca | 104191 | 1/23/1958 | Golden earrings | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104192 | 1/23/1958 | Sweet Sue, just you-2 | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104193 | 1/23/1958 | Love me | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104194 | 1/23/1958 | Can't we talk it over?-2 | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104195 | 1/23/1958 | A love like this-1 | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano, celeste | |||
Decca | 104211 | 1/28/1958 | Do it again | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104212 | 1/28/1958 | A woman's intuition | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104213 | 1/28/1958 | Life can be beautiful | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 104214 | 1/28/1958 | Mama do I gotta? | Beverly Kenney | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107792 | 7/22/1959 | A ship without a sail | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107793 | 7/22/1959 | In love in vain | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107794 | 7/22/1959 | Who can I turn to? | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107795 | 7/22/1959 | Moon and sand | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107796 | 7/22/1959 | Always you | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107797 | 7/22/1959 | Ecstasy | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107798 | 7/24/1959 | Just Arlene | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107799 | 7/24/1959 | Now | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107800 | 7/24/1959 | Down with love | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107801 | 7/24/1959 | Good for nothin' Joe | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107802 | 7/24/1959 | Wrap your troubles in dreams | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Decca | 107803 | 7/24/1959 | I'm forever blowing bubbles | Ellis Larkins | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Signature | T-1905 | 10-in. | 12/8/1943 | Voodte | Coleman Hawkins Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-1906 | 10-in. | 12/8/1943 | How deep is the ocean | Coleman Hawkins Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-1907 | 10-in. | 12/8/1943 | Hawkins barrelhouse | Coleman Hawkins Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-1908 | 10-in. | 12/8/1943 | Stumpy | Coleman Hawkins Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-1917 | 12/18/1943 | Lover come back to me | Coleman Hawkins Quartet | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Signature | T-1918 | 10-in. | 12/18/1943 | Indiana | Coleman Hawkins Quartet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-1919 | 10-in. | 12/21/1943 | Linger awhile | Dicky Wells Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-1920 | 10-in. | 12/21/1943 | Hello babe | Dicky Wells Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-19001 | 12/18/1943 | Blues changes | Coleman Hawkins Quartet | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Signature | T-19002 | 12/18/1943 | These foolish things | Coleman Hawkins Quartet | instrumentalist, piano | |||
Signature | T-19003 | 12-in. | 12/21/1943 | I got rhythm | Dicky Wells Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Signature | T-19004 | 12-in. | 12/21/1943 | I'm fer it too | Dicky Wells Orchestra | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | N 2895 | 10-in. | 12/4/1944 | Opus 15 | The Edmond Hall Sexet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | N 2896 | 10-in. | 12/4/1944 | The Sheik of Araby | The Edmond Hall Sexet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | N 2897 | 10-in. | 12/4/1944 | Night and day | The Edmond Hall Sexet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | N 2898 | 10-in. | 12/4/1944 | The man I love | The Edmond Hall Sexet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | N 2899 | 10-in. | 12/4/1944 | Face | The Edmond Hall Sexet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | N 2900 | 10-in. | 12/4/1944 | I want to be happy | The Edmond Hall Sexet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
Decca | N 2901 | 10-in. | 12/4/1944 | Rompin' in 44 | The Edmond Hall Sexet | instrumentalist, piano | ||
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 |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Larkins, Ellis," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.
Larkins, Ellis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106913.
"Larkins, Ellis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Ellis Larkins
Discogs: Ellis Larkins
Allmusic: Ellis Larkins
Grove: Ellis Larkins
IMDb: Ellis Larkins
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Larkins, Ellis - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n93068128
Wikidata: Ellis Larkins - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q488340
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/5120113
MusicBrainz: Ellis Larkins - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/e45c753d-226c-4ed7-9eba-0dee4b96b12d
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