
JACK
ELLIS


I hope everybody weathered the storm. It's been a tough year and more, but the sun is starting to shine again. Venues are starting to open up. We'll never be able to go back to where we once were, and my heart aches for those who had to say goodbye to a friend or a loved one. But here we are. And I'm glad for that. And just where is that? Well, I've been playing some solo gigs this year, and also playing with other musicians, really great ones. In addition to the solo work, there's duo and trio configurations at various venues--and a full band. We go by the name, OUT ON WORK RELEASE. I've teamed up with Larry Carver, a fine electric guitarist at many Durango venues; sometimes my good friend, Glenn Unrath, a great bassman from Milwaukee, joins me; sometimes Kevin Dunn, hailing from Cocoa Beach, Florida, accompanies with an excellent mandolin; another Floridian from Tampa, Skipper Thomas, plays a tasty violin; Bryan Reese, from Iowa and lately Austin, joins us on percussion with OUT ON WORK RELEASE. Jacques Grant is an extraordinary musician; he plays acoustic leads on his Taylor. Mike Dearman is our Memphis connection. He blows the Mississippi saxophone for us. He gained his chops on the harp playing Beale Street for years. With heavy heart, we lost Diamond Dave our conga player to Covid complications. We will miss him. We recorded a live CD last summer, OUT ON WORK RELEASE: FIRST SET, available when we perform.
And then there's me. Welcome to my web site. Let me ramble a bit...I hope you enjoy what you see and you are pleased with what you hear. I'm an acoustic guitarist, (although I have been in various electric blues bands over the years), a blues player and folk singer, a finger picker, a strummer, who grew up on Bob Dylan's early music, on blues, and on folk music.
I'm available as a solo act, duo, or trio--as well as OUT ON WORK RELEASE for bookings at bars, restaurants, private parties, and festivals. I adhere to professionalism when performing. I'm writing in first person but also speak for all the musicians I play with. Like servers and bartenders, I deliver my best to your customers when I perform. I play acoustic Americana music--blues, folk, country, rock, and originals--with my interpretation and from the heart. With the Bose sound system I use, my volume level and tone is always tastefully set for all environments and venues. For bookings contact me at pagosajack@yahoo.com or call me at 970-731-2307 for available dates. I have CDs for sale. My second CD, TOOLS OF MY FATHERS, is available for purchase, as well as my third, AFTER THE RAIN. My latest CD, THESE OLD MOUNTAINS is finally out after working on it bits and pieces starting in 2016 and finishing at the turn of 2018. A bunch of fine local musicians sat in on different tunes. T'was fun working with them. Click the icon above for further information.
Jack's CD TOOLS OF MY FATHERS
and AFTER THE RAIN Available here ! Click Here ->


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I play a variey of music at my shows: Townes Van Vandt, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Guy Clark, Jonny Cash, Bill Withers, Jimmy Buffett, Robert Johnson, Muddy, Elmore and Skip James, Big Bill Broonzy, Beatles, Stones, John Prine, Bo Diddley, John Fogerty, George Strait, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dave Van Ronk, Van Morrison, Blind Faith, Hank Williams, Rev. Gary Davis, Clapton, Animals, Harry Nilsson, Gordon Lightfoot, John Haitt, James Taylor, Ian Tyson, Eagles, Tim Harden, The Band,Roger Miller, Randy Newman, JJ Cale, Tom Waits, Stevie Ray, BB, Paul Simon, Steve Stills, Willie Dixon, T Bone Walker, Tom Paxton, among others, including my original songs.
I live in Pagosa Springs, Colorado; it's a beautiful place to live, raise kids, create music. Here's venues I've played in the Four Corner's Area:
In Pagosa Springs, Colorado
DSP The Buffalo Inn
The View The Office
Kips On The Rocks
JJ's Pagosa Brewery
The Bear Creek The Springs WOLFE Brewing CO Resort
The Backroom Wine Cellar BogeyQ's BBQ
The San Juan Roadhouse Montezuma Rez Hill Grill Vineyards
The Riff Riff Brewing Company
In Durango, Colorado
The Office Spiritorium The Diamond Belle
Moe's Starlight Lounge The Balcony Bar and Grill
Desperados The 8th Avenue Tavern
The Animas River Cafe Serious Texas BBQ
Scootn'Blues Bondad Hill Saloon
Derailed Pour House 6512' Restaurant & Lounge
Other venues in Colorado
Kips in Creede La Taqueria
The Shaft in South Fork
The State Highway Roadhouse and Theater in Buena Vista, Colorado
The Seven Rivers Steakhouse at The Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colorado
The Peacock Saloon (South Fork)
Borde Rio
Mountain Pizza and Taproom
In New Mexico
Rubio's in Aztec
Evangelos in Santa Fe
In Utah
The Cafe Galleria in Midway
The BluPig in Moab
I am always willing to travel if my busy schedule allows....

