b. Alfred Ellis, 1941, Florida, USA. Raised in Texas, and later in Rochester, New York, Ellis developed an early interest in music and had his first professional engagement in 1954 while still attending junior high school. He continued to perform while at school, playing mainly tenor saxophone but also developing on alto and as a keyboard player. Among his fellow students were Ron Carter and Chuck Mangione. Of great significance to his later career, Ellis also became a skilled arranger. For a while in 1957, he studied saxophone with Sonny Rollins. Following his graduation, Ellis went back to Florida where he formed his own band, Dynamics Incorporated, and worked in a variety of settings. In 1965 he was in New York City, playing in a trio led by Sonny Payne, and it was at this time that a friend, Waymon Reed, drew him to the attention of James Brown. With Brown, he played alto saxophone and organ and also wrote arrangements. In January 1967, Ellis took over leadership of the soul singer's backing band and his charts helped Brown attain some of his greatest successes.

Listen to Pee Wee Ellis at Finetune.

• Chicken
• Hallelujah I Love Her So
• Jack's Back
• Fa Fa Fa (The Sad Song)
• Let's Get It On

• Stevie Wonder
• Maceo Parker
• Herbie Hancock
• Tower of Power
• George Benson
• Curtis Mayfield
• Prince
• Marvin Gaye
• Otis Redding
• Jamiroquai
• James Brown
• The Meters
• Cannonball Adderley
• Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s
• Jimmy Smith
• Steely Dan
• Miles Davis
• Sting
• The John Scofield Band
• Chick Corea

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