John Ellis.

Pianist/composer and 2021 Guggenheim Fellow Helen Sung celebrates the work of influential women composers on her latest album Quartet+, crafting new arrangements of tunes by Geri Allen, Carla Bley, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland and Toshiko Akiyoshi while carrying the tradition forward with her own stunning new works. Co-produced by violin master Regina Carter, the album pairs Sung’s quartet with the strings of the GRAMMY® Award-winning Harlem Quartet in an inventive meld of jazz and classical influences.

John Ellis is one of jazz music’s youngest rising stars, having already received raves from publications like The New York Times, Down Beat and All Music Guide, while placing 2nd in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophonist Competition in 2002. Currently, Ellis is the saxophonist in Ropeadope recording artist Charlie Hunter’s widely celebrated and hard touring trio where his compositions have become staples of Hunter’s albums and live sets. With his own group, Ellis combines his affinity for New Orleans’ music (a city that he considers a second home) with the edge and urgency of modern jazz in New York City (his current home). On his full length HYENA debut entitled, One Foot In The Swamp, cuts like “Happy” and “One For The Helpers” make clear that Ellis is on the verge of worldwide jazz acclaim. He’s joined by special guests including John Scofield, Nicholas Payton and Jason Marsalis.

John Ellis was a founder member of legendary The Cinematic Orchestra and contributed heavily to their albums „Everyday“ and „Man With The Movie Camera“. He has also worked with the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae and Lilly Allen and led his own trio and big-band. His Gondwana Records debut „Evolution: Seeds & Streams“ is a cinematic masterpiece drawing on jazz, dance and Malian music.