Leroy Ellington is Making a Scene
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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Leroy Ellington!
In the last 30 years, Leroy has established himself as one of the region’s most proficient and soulful vocalists. A “MASTER SHOWMAN” with the “on stage” confidence to please ANY CROWD!
Leroy has been nominated for 5 Cammy Awards (Cincinnati Music Awards). In 1999 he was nominated for Best R&B Instrumentalist, for his saxophone work, and again in 2000 & 2001 when Leroy received nominations for Best R&B/Funk Vocalist as well as Best R&B/Funk Band, and in 2013 Leroy was nominated as “Best Musician.”
Leroy started his career in the 80’s, playing with “Ritchie & The Students”, led by “Richard Johnson” founding member of “The Students”, a 50’s Doo-Wop group with a few hit singles in the late fifties, their big hit was “I’m So Young”, which was covered by “The Beach Boys” and was also in the soundtrack of the movie “Cry Baby”.
During those years Leroy had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a number of national acts including: The Platters, The Chi-Lites, Lou Christie, and Little Anthony, Sam Moore , The Coasters, Danny & The Juniors, Dion and many many more!
In the 90’s, Leroy joined Stacy Mitchhart in his band, Stacy & Blues-U-Can Use, on sax and backing vocals, during that time Stacy released the CD, “Blues Transfusion”. Leroy is featured on saxophone and co-wrote a few of the songs. During those years Leroy had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a number of national acts including:Lonnie Mack, Bobby Blue Bland, Jr. Wells, Clarence Carter, Lonnie Brooks, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, and many more.
In 1994 Leroy started his own band, Leroy Ellington & The E-Funk Band, this band was a staple on the Cincinnati music scene for over 20 years, performing Night Clubs, Casino’s, Corporate Events of all types, and nearly every high profile event the area has to offer. Including a 20 year run as the Monday Night Headliner at THE TASTE OF CINCINNATI. During those years Leroy had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a number of national acts including: Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels,Tower of Power, The Commodores, Glen Campbell, War, and more!
Around 2010 Leroy realized that he really missed playing “blues”, and that it seemed like the place he felt most comfortable musically,
so he began to transition away from the R&B/Funk sounds of The E-Funk Band, In 2012, as a side project, Leroy started playing as “THE LEROY ELLINGTON BAND”, Placing 2nd at The Cincinnati Blues Challenge in 2012, and placing in the top 3 since 2012. AND…since 2013 “THE LEROY ELLINGTON BAND” has placed 2nd in The Dayton Blues Challenge!
The Leroy Ellington Band has been one of the most popular blues bands in the region since 2012,ﾠIn 2016 our EP, “Blue Eyed Blues” was named “Best Self Produced CD by The Cincinnati Blues Society in 2016.
In January of 2017, “Blue Eyed Blues” was judged by industry experts in Memphis TN. at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis and was a semi finalist.
In May of 2015, Leroy was featured as a guest vocalist with THE KENTUCKY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, as they paid tribute to the music of Chicago & Blood, Sweat & Tears. Leroy’s role was to bring to life the soulful sound of legendary singer David Clayton Thomas, lead singer of “Blood Sweat & Tears. His performance was powerful and soulful, and in a local review, the writer wrote: “It’s uncanny how much Leroy sounded like David Clayton Thomas!”
