Annie Ellicott
Biography
She gives it up for her art. Watch Annie Ellicott closely when she performs. It seems like she uses the rhythm of the song to slip into a trance that allows her to utilize every bit of her being for every tune she performs. She boldly uses a massive arsenal of human tones, utterances and sounds to accomplish and export the required emotion of every song. There is never a moment that she merely glides along to gather herself for the next big sentiment – every beat of every song is hers to emote feeling, and she uses it. She should be introduced by a carnival barker who explains: “she sings, she growls, she whistles, she scats – come see the performing lady!”
Jazz is the perfect vehicle for Annie’s talents. No matter what musical instrumentation she is performing with, her voice becomes another lead instrument in the unbridled yet mathematically correct maneuvering that great jazz groups utilize. Her incredible range, and bold use of it, makes that instrument even more versatile and useful.
The groups that she routinely performs with includes the Brian Haas Trio which consists of three members of the internationally known Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. This group formed the make-up for Annie’s first feature recording “Ask Me Now.” Besides Haas, the group also features the talents of Josh Raymer on drums and Matt Hayes on double bass. Annie also is seen regularly in jazz clubs with bass player Rob Ellicott (her father) and jazz guitarist Frank Brown.
Jazz was something Annie found to her liking at an early age. She has a keen respect for smartly worded lyrics and has a real knack for the performance of song lines that come at you in rapid-fire fashion. Songs like “In Walked Bud” (Thelonious Monk) and “Waters of March” (a universal audience favorite written by Antonio Carlos Jobim) are such renditions.
The stage is another versatile vehicle for Annie’s talents. She has performed lead roles in a long list of stage plays since she was in high school. And again the range of characters she portrayed on stage is varied and intense.
The career path of this young chanteuse will be fascinating to watch. The talents are there to enhance many entertainment productions. Stay tuned.