HALF the congregants at the funeral for trumpeter Bobby Ellis, at St Richard’s Catholic Church on Red Hills Road in St Andrew last Saturday, were musicians.
They comprised singers Peter Austin, Pam Hall and Bob Andy. The musicians included Desi Jones (drums); Christopher McDonald (keyboard); Sidney Thorpe (keyboard); Henry Robinson (keyboard), Winston ‘Bo Pee’ Bowen (guitar), Dwight Pinkney (guitar), and Keith Francis (bass), while the horns section included Romeo Gray, Andre Palmer, Vivian Scott, Mickey Hanson and Barry Bailey.
“We loved Bobby. He was a great musician and he deserved it. We had at least 20 musicians present, 15 actually played,” Frankie Campbell, chairman of Jamaica Association for Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA), told the Jamaica Observer.
The musical selections were tracks that Ellis worked on. These included Days of Slavery and Marcus Garvey (Burning Spear), So Jah Sey (Bob Marley and the Wailers), and I’ve Got to Go Back Home (Bob Andy).
“Bob Andy actually came to funeral with the intention to perform and wasn’t allowed to, due to time constraints. That was very disappointing,” said Campbell.
“Also, nobody spoke on behalf of music fraternity…and that’s all he did for 50-odd years.”
Ellis, 84, died at the University Hospital of the West Indies on October 18. He was admitted on September 27 to treat a pneumonia-related illness.
The Kingston-born Ellis was a past student of Alpha Boys’ School and a contemporary of other Alpha alumni who went on to greatness. They included saxophonists Tommy McCook and Headley Bennett and trombonist Don Drummond.
Ellis had a prolific career as a session musician and arranger. He played on songs like Higgs and Wilson’s There’s A Reward For Me. He also worked with Bunny Wailer and American jazz musician Herbie Mann.
For his contribution to Jamaica’s music, Ellis was awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) by the Jamaican Government in 2014.
Bobby Ellis is survived by three daughters, two sons and grandchildren.
Interment followed in the Dovecot Memorial Park in St Catherine.
— By Brian Bonitto
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