Donald Johnson Ellis (July 25, 1934 – December 17, 1978) was an American jazz trumpeter, drummer, composer, and bandleader. He is best known for his extensive musical experimentation, particularly in the area of time signatures. Later in his life he worked as a film composer, contributing a score to 1971’s The French Connection and 1973’s The Seven-Ups.
instruments played
drums
trumpet
Associated Acts
Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson
Birth Name
Donald Johnson Ellis
Genres
Jazz, big band, avant-garde, jazz fusion
Labels
CBS, Candid, Atlantic, Pacific Jazz, MPS
Occupations
Musician, composer, arranger
Years Active
1956 1978
Name
Don Ellis
Nationality
United States of America