Ellis In Wonderland (1956)

Eerste eigen album van de gitarist van het Oscar Peterson Trio, uit 1956, gewoon met z'n 'baas' op piano, in een overigens opvallend ingehouden rol. "The first four tracks add Jimmy Giuffre (bs, ts, cl) and Harry "Sweets" Edison (t), along with fellow Peterson sideman Ray Brown (b) and Alvin Stoller (d). Ellis' originals include the easygoing "Sweetheart Blues" and the cooking bop vehicle "Pogo", where both the leader and Edison eclipse Giuffre's efforts. "It Could Happen to You" focuses exclusively on Ellis. Charlie Mariano (as) is added for the latter date. The well-known "Detour Ahead" has a chamber-like setting. The session picks up with the bubbly "Ellis in Wonderland" and a snappy rendition of "Have You Met Miss Jones?". Giuffre's loping "A Simple Tune" reflects Ellis' Texas roots in a bluesy setting, with Peterson finally getting a chance to stretch out for a chorus. This early Ellis album is well worth acquiring." (Ken Dryden, Allmusic)