Cliffnotes is a collective of Cliff "that dude" on procussion, Allawishes Jackson III ..s, Tedious Jenkins twice removed on base, and Kidney Houston on vocals!!
Influences
Old soul, real hip hop, electronic soul. anything from BBE, Ubiquity...Garth Trinidad-ish music. stuff i love: Talib, Mos, the Roots, Slum Village, Roy Ayers, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Madlib, Jay Dee, Kanye, Hoobastank, Van Hunt, Nirvana, dj Greyboy, atcq, Joss Stone, tons of reggae/soca/dancehall, jay z, tons of gospel, Sleepy Brown, Outkast, gunit, Sarah Vaughn, Jimi, Common, Will.i.am (but not the peas as a whole), all bluenote jazz, Miles, Wes, John Legend, Adriana Evans, arabian travels, Rahsaan Patterson, Jill, Anthony Hamilton, Saddiq, Goapele...thats the abbreviated list i am also in 2 bands.
Whether it’s in his commanding presence, the content of his work or in the raw passion he harbors for the dimensions of sound, Cliff Ellens is a true commodity not only as a multi-faceted artist but as a free-spirited talent.
Determined to blaze a trail for himself and other up and coming artists in the music game, Ellen’s is no stranger to the successes of hard work and dedication. Self taught in keys, bass, percussions and drums he has crafted himself into an innovative musician. With the ability to adapt to any genre from soul to pop or jazz to hip-hop and R&B, his musical intuition explores all boundaries.
Before the Southern California native embraced his love-affair with music, rhythm and sound were a part of his make-up. Son of a guitarist, grandson to a piano player, Cliffnote’s transcended a rebellious childhood on the corners of Orange County’s unrecognizable neighborhoods to become the power player he is today. By taking the best of what he’s learned through the years he has shaped his experiences into an explosive sound, driven by the ambition of a hungry spirit, humbled by the aura of an old soul.
From his appreciation of symphonic sounds to the drum heavy influences he connects to in Bossa Nova, cumbia and afro-cuban funk, he is constantly striving for new plateaus in the realm of music. Some of Ellens earlier projects serve as a preview to his evolving talent. In 2004 musician and singer William Hawkins fostered the potential of this young artist by allowing Ellen’s to play on stage as his drummer and percussionist. The following year Radio Impacto, 105.5 FM got a taste of Cliffnote’s sound while he played for contemporary gospel artist Irene Rodriquez. In 2005 he also began booking shows as drummer and musical director for hip-hop/soul artist Cavier Brown. In recent years the star has only stepped up his game producing over 5 tracks for hip-hop artists, such as Gio and Sherlock Poems who both had albums drop in 2007. In manifesting his dreams through music, Ellen’s has a respect for the influential role he can take in the development of other artists and himself.
The eclectic nature of Cliffnote’s work will always remains true to his versatility, crisp, clean and smooth. Amazingly simplistic yet harmonically complex. And buried in a sound where every note has its purpose and every beat has its place will be the reflection of one man’s love for creating music that will move you, the people.
~HerE aRe SomE PRojEctS i have Worked On/WoRkinG oN
Cliff, it was sooo great to see you last night. Thank you for bringing over the CD for us to hear. I can't wait till you guys finish "on Fire" It definitely rocks. SO excited for ALL you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! xoxo Mom
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change of plans! idk if you'll check this before tonight..but tantra decided to close down tonight so im going to have to move the party to root down! hope you can still make it thru!!
4519 santa monica [@virgil] 9-2 $5 before 10:30 $7 after
