[Dixielandjazz] Steve Ellington dies in Montgomery, Al

[Norman Vickers]

To:  DJML  & Musicians and Jazzfans lists
From: Norman Vickers

Pensacola's Mike Lynch and jazz historian/percussionist Charlie Suhor of
Montgomery, AL notify us of drummer Steve Ellington's death. He was
grand-nephew of pianist/bandleader/composer Duke Ellington.  Here's a link
if you want to see the photos and I have printed the article for your
convenience.
Thanks Mike and Charlie--


From: Charles Suhor [mailto:csuhor at zebra.net] 

Subject: Steve Ellington dies in Montgomery, Al

Hi, Norm-- See the attached writeup. Steve had quite a portfolio of
accomplishments. He has been the main modern drummer in Montgomery for
several years.--Charlie

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013303270046&
nclick_check=1=


Renowned jazz drummer Steve Ellington dies at 71

Jazz musician Steve Ellington performs May 6, 2012 in Montgomery, Ala.
Ellington, the grand-nephew of jazz legend Duke Ellington, died March 22,
2013 in Montgomery at the age of 71.
Terry E. Manning/Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser


By Allison Griffin
Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser
Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:58 PM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Steve Ellington, an internationally known jazz
percussionist and the grand-nephew of jazz legend Duke Ellington, died
Friday in Montgomery at age 71.

Born in Atlanta, he began studying music at the age of 4 and made his
professional debut with R&B legend Ray Charles when he was just 9 years
old.

Ellington told the Montgomery Advertiser in 1996 that he'd learned to play
drums by playing along with Charles' songs on the radio. "There wasn't a hit
he'd had that I didn't know."

At the end of the set that day at the Royal Peacock in Atlanta, Ellington
said Charles asked him if he wanted a job playing with him.

But Ellington continued his schooling. He went on to study at the Boston
Conservatory of Music and started playing in the music scene there and in
New York. He and jazz great Hal Galper were students together in Boston,
where they began a friendship and musical collaboration that would last
nearly 40 years.

Galper, a renowned pianist and composer with more than 90 recordings to his
credit, recalls that Ellington was a master player who had his own style
that influenced a generation of jazz drummers.

Galper now lives in the Catskills of New York, said that he probably spent
more time playing with Ellington than any other musician. But Ellington was
also a dear friend.

"He was one of the most positive people I ever met," Galper said this week.
"Was never down. Had a great, wonderful spirit that infused his music and
personality. Had a lot of love in him, and was a very giving person.

"I trusted him 100 percent with anything," he said.

Ellington went on to appear on more than 600 recordings and six major
labels. He played and recorded with many of the world's jazz greats,
including Freddy Hubbard, Hampton Hawes, Roland Kirk, Dave Holland and
Michel Petrucciani. His touring schedule took him all over the world from
the 1960s through the 1990s.

It was in the 1990s that he met Sam Williams. Williams was with the Alabama
Jazz and Blues Federation and brought Ellington to Montgomery when he played
with the Hal Galper Trio. Later, Williams recommended Ellington to play in
the Alabama Shakespeare Festival production of "Ain't Misbehavin'."
Ellington eventually settled in Alabama and began playing regularly with
jazz jams for the AJBF.

He and Williams played together from about 1997 until just a month or so
ago. Ellington's talent, Williams said, was "unparalleled."

"He sings with his drums," Williams said this week. "He's not just keeping
time; he's still playing the song in his approach to drumming. I can still
hear the songs."

Ellington talked to Williams about his background in voice and piano. "It
was just amazing the things he could do musically, and even more amazing the
things that he made (into) music."

Williams explained that Ellington could take a thread of an idea from
another musician and help flesh it out musically. "He brought meaning to
whatever it was you were doing."

Over the years, Ellington taught master classes and gave lectures and
seminars, and also mentored many local players. "They'd all come over to
play with this guy to see what the real deal is, as far as jazz drumming, as
far as playing music, period," Williams said.

He said he and Ellington considered themselves the best of friends, and that
their relationship had been "a joy. A real beautiful ride."

Ellington was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago, but wanted to
remain a dedicated player until the end. "He didn't want to do the chemo,
because he wanted to be able to play," Williams said.

Ellington is survived by his wife, Noelle Ellington; a sister, Marilyn
Bailey; a son, Kevin Webster Ellington; a daughter, Cydney Minor Ellington
Jones; two granddaughters; and a companion and caregiver of eight years,
Doris "Dot" Davis.

Davis said Tuesday that she hopes to arrange for a memorial service for
Ellington in Montgomery in early April.

	
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