About Don Ellis
Donald Johnson Ellis 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. Ellis's first job was with the late Glenn Miller's band, then directed by Ray McKinley. While in that band Ellis had his first opportunity to compose and arrange for a big band. After attending a Tommy Dorsey Big Band concert, he first became interested in jazz.
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