Hortense ellis biography

Hortense Ellis's Early Life and Background .
Hortense Ellis (18 April 1941 – 19 October 2000) was a Jamaican reggae musician, and the younger sister of fellow artist Alton Ellis.
Hortense is survived by her eight children and a large extended family.

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Hortense Ellis - Jamaica's “First Lady of Song"

Music Notes by Roberto Moore

Hortense Ellis - Jamaica's “First Lady of Song"

Born in that celebrated seedbed of talent called Trench Town on April 18, 1941, Hortense Mahalia Ellis blossomed into a highly regarded vocalist. Her potential as such was apparent from an early age, and she often participated in school and community concerts. But, by the late 1950s, it was time to showcase her voice on a grander stage. Brother Alton Ellis had become a popular singer, and ushered his younger sibling down the same path to fame he himself had taken. This path led to the variety show circuit, and in particular, the Vere Johns "Opportunity Hour" talent show. Johns had since 1939, staged this highly successful series at theaters across the island; unearthing singers the likes of John Holt, Owen Gray, Laurel Aitken, and Derrick Morgan, among others. Renowned comedians Bim and Bam, also promoted similar shows at theaters, and in 1958, 17-year old Hortense made appearances on their popular "Bim 'N' Bam" variety 1/2-hour presentation.

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Hortense Ellis

Birth date

1941

Death date

2000

Biography

Hortense Ellis was a Jamaican reggae musician. She was the younger sister of Jamaican rock steady pioneer Alton Ellis. During her career, she recorded solo singles as well as duets with her brother. She recorded covers of singles across reggae and Lovers Rock as well as recording singles under alternative stage names for artists like Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Hortense's singles 'I'll Come Softly' and 'I'm in Love' (with Alton Ellis) were released in Britain with R&B Records, a Stamford Hill based record label which pioneered the release of Jamaican artists during the 1960s and 1970s.

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National Library of Jamaica

HORTENSE ELLIS (1945-2000)

Hortense Ellis, like many of the musicians of the time, was a of product of the Trench Town community. She was born in western Kingston in 1945 and educated at Ebeneezer and Trench Town Schools. Her career began with performances at the Vere Johns Opportunity Talent Hour Show. Between 1962 and 1964 she had two major accomplishments, capturing the Gleaner Company Shield for outstanding performance at the National Stadium and a silver trophy after performing at the 1964 Miss Jamaica Coronation Ball.

Ellis, who was regarded as Jamaica's first locally-based female singing star, was voted Singer of the Year in 1964. She made appearances on the Dionne Warwick, Patti La-Belle and the Blue Bells shows. Among the hits Ellis recorded are Superstar, Unexpected Places, Woman of the Ghetto, Down the Aisle and Something You Got. She also did duets with her brother, Alton Ellis and collaborated with artistes such as Derrick Morgan and Jackie Edwards.

She died on Thursday, October 19, 2000,