In a career spanning more than four decades, Hall has solidified a reputation for soul-searing rhythm & blues, and has electrified audiences throughout the world. A master of the guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, and drums, Hall has also made a mark as a songwriter, arranger, and producer. He is best known for his work with the magnetic soul sensations Tower of Power, where he was lead singer and keyboardist in the mid-1980s.
In 2001 Hall met Ray Charles, who was so taken with Hall’s performance power that he took the artist under his wing. The following year, Charles signed Hall as the only other artist on his label Crossover Records. Following this major honor, Hall went on to work with Charles on the astounding album “Straight Ahead,” featuring an array of guest artists and garnering a top single “Gotta Get the Money” which landed at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Since 2006, Ellis has worked with some of the world’s most well-known conductors, including Marvin Hamlisch in Pittsburgh, Keith Lockhart in Boston, Jeff Tyzik in Rochester, and Steve Reineke of the New York Philharmonic. Following a performance in 2010, it was Tyzik who first referred to Hall as the “Ambassador of Soul,” after Ellis had jokingly commented, “I spent a lot of time working on my ambassadorship.” The moniker stuck. Since 2010, Hall has been invited back to his hometown on multiple occasions to perform with the Boston Pops Orchestra. In 2013, he headlined at the Boston Pops 40th Fireworks Spectacular celebration. He also brought in the New Year by headlining at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Ellis Hall’s passion for music has also led him to share his powerful vocals over the years on a variety of other projects. He was a lead voice in the animated blues/soul band The California Raisins, and the whimsical Beetlejuice for a Universal Studios show. A versatile talent, Hall is a star of numerous film soundtracks, including The Lion King 2, Chicken Run, Shrek 2, Highlander II: The Quickening, Bruce Almighty, Beneath the Darkness, and Invincible. He has even had acting roles in the box office hits Big Momma’s House and Catch Me If You Can. Ellis also served as advisor to Jamie Foxx on the set of the movie Ray.
Hall has played for several luminariess including Oprah Winfrey, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Rose Kennedy, and the late Nelson Mandela, who was a declared fan of his work. He performed music from a scene of the film Chicago with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Renee Zellweger, and Queen Latifah live at the 75th Academy Awards. He had the distinct honor of performing at Helen Keller’s funeral and was requested by former President William Jefferson Clinton to perform at his first inauguration ceremony. More info here.