2010
John Ellis
(1929 - 2015)
John Ellis, fiddler and bandleader, was born in Tealing outside Dundee and brought up at Burnside of Duntrune, attending Murroes School near Kellas. Given a fiddle on his 14th birthday John was tutored initially by his uncle Dave Ellis and later by John Gall at Middleton Farm, Dundee. After four years of hard practice he was asked to join The Blue Bonnets who passed a BBC audition in 1950. When his National Service ended in 1955 he formed The Highland Country Band which in time developed a very distinct and recognisable sound due in part to the two Ranco accordions played by Douglas Muir and Irene Dear sitting well with John’s fiddle lead. When in London in the early 50s, John also took saxophone lessons from Harry Hayes (the teacher of Ronnie Scott) and he utilised this later with the band for modern ballroom numbers. John has also been involved with the Dundee Strathspey and Reel Society for many years and became Honorary Vice - President in 2001.
John Ellis
(1929 - 2015)
John Ellis, fiddler and bandleader, was born in Tealing outside Dundee and brought up at Burnside of Duntrune, attending Murroes School near Kellas. Given a fiddle on his 14th birthday John was tutored initially by his uncle Dave Ellis and later by John Gall at Middleton Farm, Dundee. After four years of hard practice he was asked to join The Blue Bonnets who passed a BBC audition in 1950. When his National Service ended in 1955 he formed The Highland Country Band which in time developed a very distinct and recognisable sound due in part to the two Ranco accordions played by Douglas Muir and Irene Dear sitting well with John’s fiddle lead. When in London in the early 50s, John also took saxophone lessons from Harry Hayes (the teacher of Ronnie Scott) and he utilised this later with the band for modern ballroom numbers. John has also been involved with the Dundee Strathspey and Reel Society for many years and became Honorary Vice - President in 2001.