Ray Ellis

The six-decade career of producer, arranger, and composer Ray Ellis spans from Billie Holiday to Barbra Streisand to Emmylou Harris. He also enjoyed great success in television, writing virtually all of the background music for animation studio Filmation from 1968 to 1982. Born July 28, 1923, in Philadelphia, Ellis began studying saxophone at age 12, mastering all of the reed instruments within three years. While stationed at Fort Knox during World War II, he handled arranging duties with the U.S. Army Band, later recalling: "That's where I got my musical education. I was put ...