Mike Ellis : Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger

Mike Ellis SAXOPHONIST, COMPOSER, ARRANGER, PRODUCER

RECENT RELEASES: “Ex tempore” with the group Second Approach Live in Russia and “The Shamans' Dance” all on the Landy Star/Dialog Music label. WIith Speak in Tones “Subaro” on AlphaPocket Records.

SOON TO BE RELEASED ON ALPHAPOCKET RECORDS: “Soundscape”, “Jazz Renegades”, “Manifesto” and “Invite the Unexpected” with Graham Haynes, George Garzone, Cynthia Hilts, Pheeroan aklaff, Cecil McBee, Daniel Moreno.

2005: Founded AlphaPocket Records an independant label for creative improvising musicians and artists deserving wider recognition.
Co-produced AlphaPocket's first release Speak in Tones's “Subaro” in Salvador Brazil with percussionist Daniel Moreno. Some of the artists on this “multi-culti” recording include: Malian keyboardist/singer Cheick Tidiane Seck, Brazilian percussionist Bira Reis, new York based bassist Reggie Washington as well as many members of the Speak in Tones concert series.(SEE ABOVE)

2004-2002: Co-produced with Daniel Moreno and soundman Sharif the Thursday night Speak in Tones concert and jam session series at 56 Walker St. in Tribeca Manhattan with Graham Haynes, Antoine Roney,Terreon Gully, Phoenix Rivera, Fred Alias,Taurus Mateen, Curtis Lundy, Darryl Hall, Brice Wassy,Gino Sitson, J.D. Walters. Composes and arranges 15 pieces for 22 piece Big Band. Completed third and fourth symphonies for full symphony orchestra, chorus, and world percussion and jazz soloists. Records “Invite the unexpected” with Graham Haynes, Geoge Garzone, Cynthia Hilts, Pheeroan aklaff, Cecil McBee, Daniel Moreno, Matthew Russell. Produces saxophonist Brad Wheeler's recording for Origin Records "The Future was Yesterday" with Laurence Hobgood, Rob Amster, Frank Parker, John Moulder.

1998-2002: Based in New York, Concerts and Recordings in Moscow, Chicago, New York, with the Spirit of Life Ensemble, Alex Rostotsky, Edik Zizak, Lev Kushnir, Oleg Kirejev, Andrei Razin, Leonid Vintskevich, Anatole Gerasimov, Andrei Mangush (Tuva), Johnny Reinhard, Joshua Pierce at the (MicroTonal Festival of New York) and the Pokrovsky Ensemble (Russia). Produces guitarist Bary Wedgle's CD “Paradise” with Billy Hart, Santi Dibriano, George Garzone, Daniel Moreno for EXIT Records. Founds the Urban Jungle Orchestra in New York with Bruce Cox, Brian Carrott, Daniel Moreno, Jorge Amorim, Greg Glasman, Noah Bless, Cynthia Hilts, Carlo DeRosa. Completed his first and second symphonies for full orchestra and chorus and world percussion and jazz soloists.

1996-97: Performances in Paris with the 12 piece Art Sound Orchestra as well performances with the Spirit of Life Ensemble in Paris jazz clubLe Duc des Lombards and N.Y. jazz club Sweet Basil. (now known as Sweet Rhythm)

1994-95: Produced the A.S.O.'s recording “Other Worlds” for EXIT Records, and M.E.T.A.'s second recording Metamorphosis on ma records, associate producer of Graham Hayne's Polygram release “The Griots Footsteps.”

1992-93: Founded the Art Sound Orchestra in Paris with Matthew Russell, Brice Wassy, J.F. Kellner, Noel Ekwabi, John Silverman, Nicolas Genest, Jean Michel Couchet, Ravi Magnifique, Biboul Darouich, Brad Wheeler, Francois Theberge, Avram Fefer, Daniel Casimir, Mark Sims, Norbert Lucarain, Barry Wedgle. Performances with M.E.T.A. in Tokyo.Concerts in Chicago with Damon Short, Eric Schultz, John McClean and Jeff Beer. Guest performer with Les McCann at the Paris Jazz Club New Morning.

1989-90: Four concerts as a guest artist with trombonist Ray Anderson at the Tokyo jazz club the Shinjuku Pit Inn. M.E.T.A. appears on a T.V. ASAHI live broadcast from the jazz club Bird in Yokohama as well asperformances in Paris, Chicago & Tokyo.

1988: M.E.T.A.'s first album: “Metaphysics” on the PAN label. Hibiya Jazz Festival in Tokyo, performs with Motohiko Hino, Nobuyoshi Ino,Itaru Oki, Motoharu Yoshizawa, Kawabata Tamio, Makoto Terashita, Barry Wedgle, Samm Bennett, Derek Jackson, Jay McGovern (now Jay Klum), Cecil Monroe, Tony St. James, and with dancers Min Tanaka (butoh), Naoko Ito, Nina B. (modern dance).

1987: Started and co-lead the group M.E.T.A. with Tom Alexander (saxophones), Jun Saito (drums), Febian Reza Pane (piano) and Benisuke Sakai, Hideaki Kanazawa (bass). M.E.T.A. performed regularly in different jazz clubs in the Tokyo area.

1986: Moved to Tokyo and performed with Masahiko Togashi, Fumio Itabashi, Tomohiro Yahiro, Tenko (vocalist) and Imamura (painter). Release of “What else is new” on the PAN label.

1985-84: Live Broadcasts for Radio France and FR3 T.V. Records “What Else is New?” with John Betsch, J.J. Avenel, Barry Wedgle, Jeff Beer, Bobby Few, M'boup. Studies with saxophonist Steve Grossman.

1983-80: Performed with his 8 piece ensemble the Out Octet at the Paris Modern Art Museum. Performs in Paris with Alan Silvas' Celestial Communication Orchestra. Studies with saxophonist Steve Lacy.

1979-77: Studies at Jazz Mobile with Ernie Wilkins, Clifford Jordan, Kenny Rodgers and Joe Fergueson. Studies at BerkleeCollege of Music with Billy Pierce.