Brian 'Sam' Ellis
Born Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in January 1939 Brian or ‘Sam’ as he is commonly known joined The Savannah Jazz Band in 1988.
Playing both the trombone and piano Sam’s playing experience is impressive.
He started playing about 1959 having heard a George Lewis recording which started the whole thing off. He bought his first trombone for £3-10s-0d (£3.50 in new money) and started playing to records. He heard the Humphrey Lyttelton band at Leeds Town Hall and was encouraged to form a band - ‘The Maryland Jazzmen’ which lasted for about 10 years including his National Service years.
Other bands Sam has played in include The Yorkshire Jazz Band, Malcolm Webb’s famous New Orleans Jazz Band, The Yorkshire Post Jazz Band, Dave Brennan’s Jubilee Jazz Band, Chris Blount’s New Orleans Jazz Band (including 5 tours of Sweden), the famous Heppy’s Kalahari Bushmen and the Wakefield Arms Jazz Band.
He still plays every Tuesday evening with The La Harpe Street Jazzmen.
He has played all over Britain, Germany, Holland and Scandinavia.