Pee Wee Ellis | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Alfred James Rogers |
Also known as | Pee Wee Ellis |
Born | Bradenton, Florida, U.S. | April 21, 1941
Died | September 23, 2021 Somerset, England[1] | (aged 80)
Genres | Funk, soul, jazz |
Occupation(s) | Saxophonist, composer, arranger |
Instrument(s) | Tenor, soprano, alto and baritone saxophones, keyboards, flute[2] |
Years active | 1954–2021 |
Labels | Skip Records, Minor Music, Gramavision |
Formerly of | The J.B.'s, Ginger Baker's Jazz Confusion, The Dapps |
Alfred James Rogers (April 21, 1941 – September 23, 2021), known as Pee Wee Ellis due to his diminutive stature, was an American saxophonist, composer, and arranger.[3] With a background in jazz, he was a member of James Brown's band in the 1960s, appearing on many of Brown's recordings and co-writing hits like "Cold Sweat" and "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud". He also worked with Van Morrison. Ellis resided in England for the last 30 years of his life.[4][5]