Album Notes

Tawny Ellis is a unique vocalist who dares to rock hard. Ellis’s new CD “Shelter” is raw in all senses - lyrically, melodically, and most importantly, emotionally.

“Shelter” strikes a resonant chord with so many listeners because its songs are accessible and memorable. These are tunes that feel like old friends the very first time you hear them. And they’re old friends who are in it for the long haul.

Tawny Ellis was born in Savannah, Georgia and moved around extensively as a child because her father was in the Air Force. She didn’t stay anywhere for very long. Ellis struck out on her own at the age of sixteen and moved to Los Angeles at the age of twenty, determined to live her life making music. Ellis set about writing, recording, and performing music on an all-or-nothing mission. She played most of the known (and some of the unknown) rock venues in Los Angeles, paying her dues in clubs like The Viper Room, The Mint, and The Hotel Cafe. Many of her songs have been placed on television and movie soundtracks.

Ellis’s new CD “Shelter” resonates with listeners on a visceral level. Melodically it hooks you in; lyrically it haunts you with things you've pondered or felt before. When she is asked why the CD has such a broad appeal, Ellis says simply, “Because it sounds like my heart.”

Tawny Ellis Band and Producer Bios

Giovanni Loria Biography

Tawny Ellis’s musical director Giovanni Loria co-wrote and performed on most of the album “Shelter.” Loria played bass on the entire album and played many of the signature guitar riffs as well. He also did numerous string arrangments adding a larger, more lush sound to much of the music. Loria has produced and/or played with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including The Black Eyed Peas, Everlast, Jack Johnson, and Matt Sorum. Loria’s musical concept and string arrangements were an integral part of the success of Everlast’s multi-platinum single “What It’s Like.”

Mark Shulman Biography

Tawny Ellis’s drummer Mark Shulman is a versatile player who has recorded and/or toured with a long list of stadium and well known artists, including Billy Idol, Cher, Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow. Shulman is currently on a world tour performing with Pink.

John Flannery Biography

Tawny Ellis’s guitarist John Flannery lends an edgy rock feel to “Shelter.” Flannery is best known for his work with ex-Jane’s Addiction front man Perry Farrell and Oscar-nominated performer Bird York. Flannery played “guitar and trash can” on Farrell’s second Porno for Pyros disc “God’s Good Urge”; and he performed, co-wrote, and produced songs on Bird’s first disc “Velvet Hour.”


Skip Saylor Biography

Tawny Ellis’s producer Skip Saylor has worked with literally hundreds of top performers over the course of his thirty-year career as a music producer, engineer, mixer and studio owner. Those performers include Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Guns n' Roses, Eminem, Santana, Tom Petty and Elton John.