Christopher Ellis is a reggae and R&B singer from London, United Kingdom, born in 1982. He is the son of Alton Ellis, and his work is linked to reggae, roots reggae, dancehall, lovers rock and soul.

Background

Ellis begins performing at the age of 11 and spends his early years singing with his father on tours, including appearances in Jamaica, New York City, Italy, Germany, London, Spain and Canada. He later describes those performances as part of his training as a singer, and he also develops his songwriting through regular appearances at London venues such as the Jazz Café.

He becomes more aware of his father’s influence on Jamaican music as a teenager and sees Alton Ellis as a major figure in reggae and dancehall. His own voice is repeatedly described as closely resembling his father’s, with a smooth, soulful style.

Career after Alton Ellis

After Alton Ellis dies in London in 2008, Christopher Ellis records a tribute song in a London studio the following day. That recording later appears on the 2009 reggae dancehall compilation Old School Young Blood on Peckings Records.

He travels to Jamaica with his family for the funeral and stays there afterwards, where he works in Sugar Minott’s studio for six months and records several unreleased songs. During this period he also performs at the Waterfront New Year’s Eve show, Rebel Salute 2009 and Stars R Us Vintage Stage show, the last of which celebrates Alton Ellis’s life and career.

Stephen Marley and solo recordings

Ellis later meets Stephen Marley through a friend and sings acappella for him. Marley then invites him to King Jammy’s studio, where he records his first single, End of Time, with Marley and Jah Cure. The song is inspired by Alton Ellis’s rendition of You Made Me So Happy.

He also records Willow Tree, a version of an Alton Ellis song. Both singles are set for release on Marley’s Ghetto Youths International label, and he works on his debut album with Marley and the Ghetto Youths Records family.

Performance and style

Ellis performs regularly in London and also appears across Europe, including Italy and Sweden. He joins Stephen Marley on stage in Negril, Jamaica, to perform End of Time. His stated aim is to make music of different kinds, while remaining rooted in reggae and rocksteady.