Ellen Harrison

Ellen Harrison was born and raised in Streator, Illinois, a place you know well. I played in the band, but my musical experiences began long before this. When I was very young, I visited my grandmother daily, and she played the piano for hours with me as her audience. As an added bonus, I got to eat cereal for lunch. Given the rather sheltered nature of my early upbringing, it is astounding for me to think of the paths my life has taken. My travels and studies have exposed me to many types of music and have inspired me to explore a variety of different approaches in my compositions. Extra-musical ideas often serve as a point of departure, but the best sources of inspiration are musicians like Kate Tombaugh, a singer of extraordinary warmth and beauty. I am honored to have her perform my songs in celebration of Kathy Tombaugh’s and Carlton Monroe’s contributions to Poco a Poco.