AUBURN – Hard-rocking blues guitarist/vocalist Tinsley Ellis sings and plays with the energy and soul of the great Southern musicians who have preceded him.
Ellis attacks his music with rock power and blues feeling, following in the tradition of Deep South legends Duane Allman, Freddie King and Warren Haynes.
This legendary singer/songwriter will perform Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant, as part of the club’s 2005 Sunday Night Blues Series.
Ellis is touring the United States in support of his new CD, “Highwayman Live,” released last June on the Alligator Records label.
Born in Atlanta, Ga., in 1957, Ellis grew up in southern Florida and began playing the guitar at age 8. He found the blues by listening to British Invasion bands like The Yardbirds, The Animals, Cream and The Rolling Stones. He was particularly fond of the King brothers (Freddie, B.B. and Albert) and spent hours immersing himself in their music.
His love for the blues solidified when he was just 14. At a B.B. King performance, Ellis sat mesmerized in the front row. When King broke a string on “Lucille,” his legendary guitar, he changed it without missing a beat and handed the string to Ellis. After the show, King came out and talked with fans, further impressing Ellis with his warmth and down-to-earth attitude.
Already an accomplished teenage musician, Ellis left Florida in 1975 and returned to Atlanta. He joined the Alley Cats, a gritty blues band that included Preston Hubbard of Fabulous Thunderbirds fame. In 1981, Ellis formed a band called The Heartfixers with veteran blues singer/harmonica player Chicago Bob Nelson. It wasn’t long before they became Atlanta’s top-drawing blues band.
After recording two albums with The Heartfixers, Ellis was ready to head out on his own. He sent a copy of the master tape for his solo debut to Bruce Iglauer at Alligator Records.
In 1988, Ellis took an unprepared public by surprise with “Georgia Blue,” his debut on the prestigious Alligator label. Critics and fans quickly agreed that a new and original guitar hero had emerged. The Chicago Tribune reviewed the album, stating: “Ellis takes classic Southern blues-rock workouts and jolts them to new life with a torrid axe barrage.”
Before long, Alligator arranged to reissue “Cool On It” and “Tore Up,” exposing Ellis’ blistering earlier music to a growing fan base. His 1989 release, “Fanning The Flames” further expanded the guitarist’s hero status. “Storm Warning,” released in 1994, is regarded as his true breakthrough album. Recorded live in the studio with his road-savvy band and produced by Eddy Offord of John Lennon fame, the album drew feature and positive reviews in several national and regional publications.
The Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant is at 34 Court St. Tickets are $15 and may be reserved by calling the club. All ages are welcome. FMI: go online to www.3clubs.com.
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