Seger Ellis

American jazz pianist, singer, composer, bandleader and occasional actor. Born July 4, 1904 in Houston, Texas. Died on September 29, 1995 (91 years of age). He was married to singer Irene Taylor. He was a pianist and singer in vaudeville and in night clubs, and made many records. Ellis' first recording career ended in 1931. In the late 1930s he returned with a big band of his own, known as his "Choirs of Brass Orchestra" with himself conducting and often singing vocals. The band also featured his wife as a vocalist. Later in his career, Ellis focused more on songwriting, although he continued to record sporadically as well as playing the piano. He charted five times with his orchestra and four times as a songwriter. His orchestra's top charted songs were "When You're Smiling" in 1928 which rose to #4, and "Please Come Out of Your Dream" in 1939, which landed at #7. As a songwriter his top hit was "11:60 P.M." by Harry James and His Orchestra (co-written with James and Don George); the song made it to #8 in 1945. His song "You're All I Want for Christmas" (co-written with Glen Moore) charted three times in 1948-9; by Frankie Laine, Frank Gallager, and again by Frankie Lane the next year when it was re-released for Christmas.