Lloyd Ellis (1920–1994) was an American guitarist and composer renowned for his contributions to both jazz and country music. Born in Pensacola, Florida, he began his musical career in the 1930s, drawing inspiration from Django Reinhardt. During World War II, Ellis entertained troops in the Pacific as part of George Liberace's band. Post-war, he became a sought-after studio and nightclub musician in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, collaborating with artists like Liza Minnelli and Steve Lawrence. From 1974 to 1988, he was a key member of Pete Fountain's jazz ensemble in New Orleans. Ellis's dynamic guitar style and versatility left a lasting impact on the American music scene. ([allaboutjazz.com](https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/lloyd-ellis/?utm_source=openai))