Guitarist Herb Ellis was born in Texas and grew up near Dallas.  Perhaps best known for his 1950s membership in the trio of pianist Oscar Peterson, Ellis was also a staple of west-coast recording sessions, and was  an excellent be-bop guitarist with a hint of country in his sound.  Ellis played with Jimmy Dorsey  in the 1940s, traveling and recording extensively, and playing in dance halls and movie palaces.  Learn more of the story and hear the distinctive sound of jazz guitarist Herb Ellis tonight on the 9 O'clock Special.

Ellis became prominent after performing with the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1953 to 1958 along with pianist Peterson and bassist Ray Brown. He was a somewhat controversial member of the trio, because he was the only white person in the group in a time when racism was still very much widespread. After he left Oscar Peterson he went to work for Ella Fitzgerald. 

Ellis died of Alzheimer's disease at his Los Angeles home on the morning of March 28, 2010, at the age of 88.