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Ellen Whyte –Biography July 2008
Ellen Whyte has just released her fourth album, appropriately titled: Four Way Stop, a soaring achievement from an accomplished singer songwriter. Long time Portland, Oregon KINK FM 102 Blues Show radio personality, Bob Ancheta raved that it gave him “goose bumps!”
Ellen has fronted bands continuously now for 30 years, as she has three critically acclaimed albums in addition to the latest effort. She was captivated by music since she was a child growing up in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Leaving the humidity and the taffeta dresses of her accordion marching band behind, Ellen branched out to blue grass, gospel, rock, blues and jazz. Her eclectic tastes in music include heroes such as Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, and Bonnie Raitt.
Ellen is known for her astonishing vocals, as she gracefully moves among genres from blues to jazz to funk and ballads. Her percussive rhythm guitar work is well suited to her voice, and she plays solo, in duos and trios, up to a full nine piece band complete with a horn section. She’s won numerous awards for her work, including consideration for two Grammy Award nominations in 1999.
Speaking of such, Grammy award producer Dennis Walker had this to say after working on the third CD, Standing at the Sunrise: “She not only sings like an angel, but brings her own styling and phrasing to every song that is completely individual. Thank God for Ellen Whyte who is one of the last few who can still sing blues and pop and jazz, and still stand up on a stage and sing big band standards with the best of them.”
Ellen, guitarist Garry Meziere, and her husband John Mullin, have collaborated with veteran musicians—“The ‘A’ List Commandos,” as Ellen likes to refer to them-- to produce a sophisticated, yet accessible sound that synchs up well with thoughtful and emotionally infused lyrics.
In addition to the Northwest, Ellen tours in the Mid West and on the East Coast, and was a featured artist in the International Blues festival in Montreal. Look for her soon at a “Four Way Stop” in your area!
Multi award winning singer/songwriter, Ellen Whyte, has just released her latest CD, "Four Way Stop." You can purchase the CD from CD Baby or at iTunes.
"Four Way Stop" has been nominated in the first round entry list for the Grammy Awards in 2009 for "Best Contemporary Blues Album!!"
Also...the Cascade Blues Association recently voted this new CD, "Best Self Produced CD" in the region. That vote puts the CD into the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in Feb 09 to be considered for the same award on an international larger scale!
The holidays are approaching fast and feel free to contact me via email here if you're interested in a "house concert." I can fill you in on all the details regarding set up, fees, the band size, etc. Thanks!
Here's a video of our performance at the Blues Festival this year:
YouTube - Ellen Whyte - '08 Waterfront Blues Festival Portland, OR
HOUSE CONCERTS, ANYONE? Contact Ellen: amallegory@aol.com
Interested in taking vocal lessons? Ellen specializes in vocal production. She's scheduling students ages 13 and up. Also, Ellen gives performance workshops as well as singer/songwriter workshops. Email her: Amallegory@aol.com
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