Sonny Rollins about Pee Wee Ellis
On the day of Pee Wee’s funeral in Rochester NY (Nov. 10, 2021), it’s a pleasure to share this message from Pee Wee’s mentor and dear friend Sonny Rollins.
The great Pee Wee Ellis has gone to a better place. I will miss him enormously. He and his lovely wife always visited with me when they came to the States. He always referred to himself as my student, and I felt great hearing him say that because he was one of our best players. “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud” came from Pee Wee, as he led James Brown’s band into their ultra-baaad music. See you later, man. – Sonny