{Copyright (C) 2011 Douglas Brent Ellis . All Rights Reserved}
Brent was born in Calgary Alberta, and began playing guitar at the age of 12. Guitarists Lenny Breau and Lee Ritenour have most influenced his playing over the years.
He had Jazz guitar teachers who guided and inspired him throughout his early teens, and later while attending Western Washington University as a Jazz Major. Brent studied with Jazz guitarists Bill Lake, Jim Chew, Lenny Breau, Oliver Gannon, Bruce Clausen, Jim Fricke, and others during his musical journey.
Since his years at W.W.U. he has been refining his skills both as a guitarist and a recording engineer. His passion for making quality recordings that you want to listen to over and over can be heard in his recent recordings. Perhaps Brent can produce your next album?
He had Jazz guitar teachers who guided and inspired him throughout his early teens, and later while attending Western Washington University as a Jazz Major. Brent studied with Jazz guitarists Bill Lake, Jim Chew, Lenny Breau, Oliver Gannon, Bruce Clausen, Jim Fricke, and others during his musical journey.
Since his years at W.W.U. he has been refining his skills both as a guitarist and a recording engineer. His passion for making quality recordings that you want to listen to over and over can be heard in his recent recordings. Perhaps Brent can produce your next album?
Brent currently lives in Abbotsford B.C. where he has been involved in the local music scene, writing the occasional music column, playing live Jazz, teaching guitar, and recording and producing CDs for local artists. Recent work for clients include the audio CD for Hemme Luttjeboer's book, 'The Complete Idiots guide to guitar exercises', as well as the audio CD for Mike Michalkow's book 'Total Rock Drummer' which won accolades as a Modern Drummer readers poll award winner.
Brent released his debut Jazz CD 'Sunday Drive' in 1997. The album had 5 of Brent's original tunes along with songs written by keyboardist Brad Carlson. The easy listening Jazz CD experienced airplay on commercial radio.
Brent's follow up CD 'Summertime' was released in June 2008. It is Smooth Jazz Fusion featuring the musicians of the Brent Ellis Group, soulful vocals by Melissa Albertson on Summertime and Sweet Love, as well as other guest musicians. Drummer and percussionist Mike Michalkow added to the CD's energy with his dynamic solos. Robin Ellis provided the bass grooves, and Lloyd Bates contributed his inspiring keyboards to the album.
The 'Summertime' album includes easy listening Jazz, Smooth Jazz, as well as a few harder hitting Jazz Fusion tunes. Six original tunes plus six cover tunes. Brent pays tribute to his guitar hero Lenny Breau and his style of chord melody with the 'The Days of Wine and Roses'. He also honours guitarist Wes Montgomery with 'Black Orpheus' using Wes's style of octaves and chords. The rest of the CD reflects some of the sounds of Brent's favourite guitar player Lee Ritenour.
Brent's melodic nylon string guitar track 'Sunland' from his 'Summertime' CD is now playing on the MaxTrax Jazz Cafe across Canada. .
Brent's newest CD, 'Cruisin' Jackson Road' was released in May 2011. The album is Smooth Jazz Fusion featuring both melodic, funky, electric guitar lines and beautiful nylon string melodies by Brent Ellis, fun and creative drum solos and percussion by Mike Michalkow, solid bass tones and grooves by Robin Ellis, and tasty closed chord voicings and acoustic and electric piano solos by Lloyd Bates. The CD features 6 original tunes written by Brent Ellis in a variety of styles and rhythms, along with 4 of Brent's favourite Jazz cover tunes.
Brent released his debut Jazz CD 'Sunday Drive' in 1997. The album had 5 of Brent's original tunes along with songs written by keyboardist Brad Carlson. The easy listening Jazz CD experienced airplay on commercial radio.
Brent's follow up CD 'Summertime' was released in June 2008. It is Smooth Jazz Fusion featuring the musicians of the Brent Ellis Group, soulful vocals by Melissa Albertson on Summertime and Sweet Love, as well as other guest musicians. Drummer and percussionist Mike Michalkow added to the CD's energy with his dynamic solos. Robin Ellis provided the bass grooves, and Lloyd Bates contributed his inspiring keyboards to the album.
The 'Summertime' album includes easy listening Jazz, Smooth Jazz, as well as a few harder hitting Jazz Fusion tunes. Six original tunes plus six cover tunes. Brent pays tribute to his guitar hero Lenny Breau and his style of chord melody with the 'The Days of Wine and Roses'. He also honours guitarist Wes Montgomery with 'Black Orpheus' using Wes's style of octaves and chords. The rest of the CD reflects some of the sounds of Brent's favourite guitar player Lee Ritenour.
Brent's melodic nylon string guitar track 'Sunland' from his 'Summertime' CD is now playing on the MaxTrax Jazz Cafe across Canada. .
Brent's newest CD, 'Cruisin' Jackson Road' was released in May 2011. The album is Smooth Jazz Fusion featuring both melodic, funky, electric guitar lines and beautiful nylon string melodies by Brent Ellis, fun and creative drum solos and percussion by Mike Michalkow, solid bass tones and grooves by Robin Ellis, and tasty closed chord voicings and acoustic and electric piano solos by Lloyd Bates. The CD features 6 original tunes written by Brent Ellis in a variety of styles and rhythms, along with 4 of Brent's favourite Jazz cover tunes.
Photo by Michelle Ellis
Photo by Natalie Ellis
Photo by Michelle Ellis
Photo by Natalie Ellis
