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Big Chief Ellis

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Name
  
Big Ellis


Role
  
Vocalist

Big Chief Ellis TRIX 3316 Big Chief Ellis Big Chief Ellis Oddenda Such

Died
  
December 20, 1977, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Albums
  
Featuring Tarheel Slim, Brownie McGhee and John Cephas

Similar People
  
Cephas & Wiggins, Archie Edwards, Stick McGhee, Baby Tate, Peg Leg Sam

Big chief ellis big chief ellis 1976


Wilbert Thirkield "Big Chief" Ellis (November 10, 1914 – December 20, 1977) was an American blues pianist and vocalist.

Contents

Big Chief Ellis Big Chief Ellis Big Chief Ellis 1976 YouTube

Big Chief Ellis Louise (1974)


Biography

Ellis was born in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, and was an autodidact at piano. He played at local parties and dances in the late 1920s before leaving Alabama, traveling the United States and working odd jobs. He served in the Army from 1939 to 1942, then moved to New York, where he accompanied touring blues performers for their concerts in the city. He recorded with Lenox Records in 1945, and recorded for Capitol Records with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee in the 1950s.

In 1972, Ellis moved to Washington, D.C., where he operated a liquor store. Towards the end of his life, Ellis began recording for Trix Records, where he played again with McGhee as well as Tarheel Slim and John Cephas.

Ellis died in Birmingham, Alabama, of heart failure aged 63.

References

Big Chief Ellis Wikipedia