Tommy Ellis:TOMMY ELLIS, who has died aged 80, had a multi-faceted career in showbusiness that began in the front window of a Dublin department store.
A double-bassist, violinist, composer, musical arranger, music publisher and record producer, he was not a musical snob and played everything from light opera to rock'n'roll, skiffle and jazz.
In 1977 he was commissioned to write the music for Your Kind of Country, Fianna Fáil's campaign song in that year's general election. Des O'Meara and Partners wrote the lyrics and Colm Wilkinson supplied the vocals.
Born in Dublin in 1927, he was the son of James (Jed) and Emily Ellis. He grew up on the South Circular Road and was educated by the Christian Brothers at Synge Street.
He first played professionally in his late teens, appearing with the pianist Peggy Dell in some unusual venues, among them the front windows of Clery's in O'Connell Street and Cavendish's of Grafton Street; they also played the Theatre Royal.
His showbusiness career continued through the mid-1940s, playing violin selections in revues at the Queen's and Olympia theatres. Ten years later, and now mainly playing double bass, he was booked to provide the relief band for a scheduled Dublin appearance by British jazz saxophonist Ronnie Scott.
He played at Bill Fuller's Ballerina Ballroom in a band led by Joe Coughlan and which featured Frankie Blowers on vocals. Another outfit he played with, featuring trumpeter Earl Gill, was described by "Dancalot" in Pictorial Timesas "a sextet that would have drawn house full notices to the foyer of any Dublin dancehall".
In addition, he played with bands led by Richie Burbridge and Jimmy Greer. The latter band held the residency at the Four Provinces ballroom and was known for its skiffle and calypso numbers which highlighted Ellis's musicianship.
In the late 1950s he played electric bass with the Viscounts, a showband fronted by Paul Russell. The band played support for Cliff Richard and the Shadows on a British tour, and toured US bases in Germany ahead of acts such as The Beatles and Van Morrison.
In the early years of Telefís Éireann, Ellis appeared in various combinations and was regularly featured on the jazz-oriented Allegro 234. By the mid-1960s, the Tommy Ellis Trio was doing steady business. In later years, he played a weekly gig at the Green Isle Hotel. An injury in the 1980s forced him to give up playing.
He contributed incidental music to the film Shamrocks Sky Highmade in 1968 by Vincent Corcoran. He was much sought after as a producer, producing albums for Dickie Rock, Brendan Grace, Danny Doyle, The Dubliners and comedian Hal Roach. In 1970 he bought Act Studios, establishing it as the Tommy Ellis Studios. Concentrating on advertising work, voice-overs became his bread and butter. He also proved a dab hand at writing advertising jingles. He retired five years ago, selling the studios as a going concern.
His extended family, neighbours and many friends in music, advertising and broadcasting circles will miss him.
He is survived by his wife, Phyl, daughters Carol, Sandra and Emma, and sons Michael, Paul and Tommy.
Tommy Ellis: born June 11th, 1927; died April 23rd, 2008