Art Ellefson

Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on April 17th, 1932, Art Ellefson discovered jazz after the family moved to Swift Current in 1946. Four years later he moved again, this time to Edmonton and finally on to Toronto. By this time his saxophone playing had developed it's own personality due in part to early influences by Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson and Stan Getz.

Next stop in his career was a visit to England in 1952, and that visit extended to 17 years during which time he worked with the best British bands, including Ted Heath, John Dankworth and Vic Lewis. He also toured with Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson in Europe.

In 1974 Art returned to Canada, stopping off in Bermuda for a short while. In Toronto he became a member of the Nimmon's Nine plus six band. In 1988 he moved again, this time to Courtenay, British Columbia to play, teach and repair woodwinds.

Recommended recordings:"As if to Say"Sackville CD2-2030
"Transformations/Invocation"
with Phil Nimmons
CBC LM452 (LP)
"The Atlantic Suite"
with Phil Nimmons
Sackville 2008 (LP)

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