Ellis Hall is a multi-instrumentalist virtuoso who possesses a vocal style that commands attention in its diversity and depth.
Ellis Hall is a multi-instrumentalist virtuoso who possesses a vocal style that commands attention in its diversity and depth. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Ellis moved to Boston at the age of five, where he began his musical career, and has been on a direct course for success ever since.
His first release as a solo artist was a version of the Motown smash from the 60's "Every Little Bit Hurts." His talents were showcased nationally and internationally with the Ellis Hall Group, opening for many top performers such as the Temptations, Earth Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock, the Spinners and Natalie Cole.
Ellis was featured as lead vocalist on the debut hit single, "What Does it Take," from the Kenny G. multi-platinum "Duotones" album and joined the soul-stirring hit group Tower of Power as lead vocalist and keyboardist, culminating that stint with his co-production and song-writing prowess on their album, "Power." He had enormous success as one of the California Raisins with their platinum album, "The California Raisins Sing the Hit Songs," and a gold album, "Christimas With the California Raisins."
He has also lent his vocals and/or performed with such diverse artists as James Taylor, Warren Hill, George Duke, Michael Sembello, Huey Lewis and the News, Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Kimball and ToTo, Jason Scheff of Chicago, Bobby Womack, James Ingram and Stevie Wonder.
Adding to his credits are a series of movie and television soundtracks as well as a variety of International radio and television jingles. He appeared in the award winning ABC TV show, "The Wonder Years"; performed vocals in "New York Undercover", Fox TV; "NYPD Blue", ABC TV; "Hercules", a Disney feature film; "Lion King II", Disney Home Video; DreamWorks animated feature film, "Chicken Run", singing the title track "Flip, Flop and Fly"; on screen as the organist in "Big Momma's House", with Martin Lawrence, a 20th Century Fox feature film; singing on screen in a scene with Tom Hanks in the Steven Spielberg movie by DreamWorks, "Catch Me If You Can", and his current films, "Bruce Almighty", Universal, "A Day Without A Mexican", Universal/BMG and "Polar Express", Warner Bros.
In 2003, for Camille Cosby's New Visionary Leadership Project honoring Mr. Ray Charles, Ellis performed "You Don't Know Me" at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. Ellis has also performed at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Millennium Stage, for his Leadership in Arts and Disability. He also performed a salute to Ray Charles at the Kennedy Center Honors Week-end.
At the Recording Academy's Inaugural Grammy Jam, in 2004, Ellis was featured in a rousing salute to Earth Wind & Fire and in 2005 he celebrated the Music of Stevie Wonder. He was also a featured performer in the Keb Mo Christmas Special, at Disney Hall, Los Angeles. In January, 2005, on the Bob James Showboat Cruise to Mexico, he was featured in several vocal duets with Michael McDonald and sang lead vocals with Tom Scott's LA Jazz All-Star Band.
In February 2005, Ellis Hall was featured at Concord Records Grammy Party which was later shown on the BET Special "Jammin' For Ray". In May 2005 he was featured along with Brian McKnight at The Revlon Run/Walk For Breast Cancer at the Los Angeles Colliseum and in August 2005, he performed with a host of stars in a commemoration for the 75th birthday of Ray Charles "A Night With Concord Records" at the Hollywood Bowl presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's Jazz at the Bowl series.
Ellis' colorful statements instrumentally and vocally can be found on his widely acclaimed debut solo album The Spirit Lingers On, a musical journey of highly inspirational soul featuring 12 original songs.
