TRANSCRIPT:
Hi, I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Pee Wee Ellis, born Alfred Ellis in Bradenton, Florida, was a saxophonist and composer who significantly influenced James Brown's sound. He studied under Sonny Rollins and joined Brown's band in the mid-1960s, co-writing the seminal 1967 hit "Cold Sweat," which is often regarded as one of the first funk songs. This track shifted Black American music towards a focus on rhythm and groove.
After leaving Brown, Ellis collaborated with artists like Van Morrison and George Benson, showcasing his arranging skills and jazz sensibility. His innovative legacy spans from bebop to funk and continues to inspire today.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and South Carolina Public Radio, made possible by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina.