Ellis Emerson Strange

RIP

There was Elli a patron at a club in Massachusetts where I was perfroming (I being a solo singer-guitarist).

I did notice him smiling at me, and when I had taken a break, he came on over and asked if I would like to join a hundred-man barbershop chorus. Well, I'm not sure if he asked, or said that I should.

Anyhow, he made it sound so interesting, and gave me time and location where they practiced. A week or so later, Elli, being the successful proponent that he was for the Narragansett Bay Chorus, I showed up, and I was startled!

I am sometimes deeply affected by good singing or music, and truth be told, they were so good, that I cried ("Oh my", I don't know if it showed to anyone for in my embarrassment, I tried to hide my crying).

I soon joined the chorus as bass singer, and enjoyed my years with them though I needed some direction and discipline for being the singer and harmonist that I am, I was enthusiastically devising my own harmonies ... but alas, my great creativity was not in keeping with traditional barbershop, and I was soon to learn not to come up with my own.

I give thanks to Elli, and remember him with fondness and love, and directing me to have the experience in singing with a hundred good singers; of which, he was one.

RIP

As a catholic, my prayers for Elly. It was he who first invited me to join the NBC Chorus. Nice man.

"Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now, and at the hour of our death."
Amen
Ellie meant a lot to me. It was he who saw ans heard me playing at a club somewhere in Massachusetts, and came to inviting me to consider joining the Narragansett Bay Chorus. At his invititation, I stopped by their rehearsal, and was so moved by the harmony, that it brought me to tears (which I embarrasingly tried to hide). ...
I joined the chorus, and sang bass with them for the next three years. It was a memorable time in my life. Thank you Ellie.
ron bianco