Elliott a Harlem native was born into a community, where culture was highly diversified. He was surrounded by the sounds of music that represented the different nationalities present in the city. From an early age, Elliott knew that music would play a great role in his life, whether his success came from music in itself or from other ventures, music would remain a heavy staple, because of his undying love for the art. Whenever an artist is interviewed they are always asked; “Who are you influences?†Most times the answers are the names of musical legends, with talent beyond levels of comprehension. Elliott’s answer remains simple, his father. Dad was a motorman for the NYC transit authority, but he was also a tenor for the Trinity Baptist Church choir in the Bronx, and as with many R&B artists, so does Elliott’s journey begin. From the Saturday rehearsals, to Sunday morning worship and the choir concerts, Elliott continues to reminisce on the energy and the rhythm, the praise and the love emitted throughout the room by his dads choir, and he wanted to feel that same emotion and be in same position as those who helped channel this energy. In time he joined his church choir in Harlem. Singing with Mount Moriah Baptist church, opened up doors of opportunity for him, he learned how to play the drums, he developed his voice, he learned how a group could function as one unit, and he was given the chance to find his sound. His first time singing in front of a congregation was nerve-wracking, but he loved it all the same, and couldn’t wait for another solo opportunity. As he got better, the opportunities continued to come forth. He had a chance to travel to South America, and tour, promoting the Harlem Sunday album his church recorded. He was also given the opportunity to work with Lux music, recording jingles for commercials in Portuguese as well as recording a duet of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On†with South American pop star Patricia Marx. As the choir became more of a production for tourism as opposed to worship, Elliott strayed away from the church and from music for a little while and began exploring street-life. It took a scorching summer day in the city, with his hands on the hood of a police car and scraped knees on New York’s hard pavement for Elliott to realize that being in the studio behind the mic was his safe place. Though his talent hasn’t been recognized on a worldwide or national level, he has been afforded the opportunity to work with many producers, different artist and a multitude of songwriters. Today Elliott’s focus remains on his music. He continues to write, and demo songs for producers, in hopes that one of his songs will catch the same attention that a lot of today’s music has garnered. He has also been featured on Petersburg VA’s own J-Life “Voice of the Hood†album. You can hear him on the cuts, Grown and Sexy, Change gone Come and Cadillac’s and Chevies. Along with demo’s, he is currently working on his own project which hasn’t been titled yet, but you can expect the same smooth sounds, and edgy lyrics that Elliott has been known to deliver. Through it all, his motto has always been. “Continue living life, learning from your mistakes everyday.†These are truly words to live by.
PS: For those that encouraged me and fostered my start in music, I will forever be indebted to you.
Elliott J.
