The Gospel, according to the Gods of the music business: An artist is always expected to heavily support and promote a new release with a hectic and highly visible touring schedule. Until now. Meet jazz trumpeter/flugelhornist, arranger/composer, John Ellis, a most talented exception to this hard fast rule.
   John does not perform live in clubs or in concert halls. He hasn't for decades. So don't rush out after hearing his latest CD expecting to see him on stage anytime soon at your favorite jazz venue. Rather, the only time you'll have the pleasure of listening to and being in John's musical company is via his new, shiny compact disc you now are the proud possessor of: "Esperanza" (Hope) Fizzywater FWR103.
   Born April 1 (Easter Sunday), 1945 in Philadelphia, Pa., John Ellis held his first trumpet in elementary school at age nine. His interest in jazz began in junior high school after hearing Canadian high-voltage trumpet star, Maynard Ferguson on LPs and later peaked during his high school years as he discovered the music of Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, and Chet Baker.
   Ellis attended Temple University and graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1967. While at Temple, he jammed frequently and became a nightly fixture in the audiences at Pep's Lounge and the Showboat, local Philly clubs where he was fortunate enough to get up close and personal with his idols, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis.
   With the demise of jazz during the decades of the sixties and seventies, John literally had to improvise his playing style in order to get work, performing and recording with a long-forgotten New York City Salsa band called Latin Dimensions. He also stayed close to the "City of Brotherly Love" (where he still resides) backing legendary R&B vocalists, Jackie Wilson and Wilson Pickett at the fabled Uptown Theater.
   During the 1980s, John put down his horn to focus on writing and arranging. Happily for the jazz world, he picked up his horn in 1994 and hasn't put it back in his case since! Ellis has released two prior dates on his own label (Fizzywater): "Blues for the Bad Man"(1999) and "Morning Light" (2000), featuring the heavyweight New York support of Michael Brecker, Chris Potter, Edward Simon, Eddie Gomez and Al Foster. Cats of this high caliber simply do not perform with just anyone, further proof of Ellis's reputation amongst his fellow musicians.