Died On This Date (April 30, 2010) Gil Ellman / Big Band Musician & Instrument Retailer
themusicsover Gil Ellman
August 28, 1925 – April 30, 2010
Gil Ellman was a big band musician and longtime Chicago area musical instrument merchant. Ellman began his life of music as a youngster when he learned to play the saxophone, clarinet and flute. His skills developed so well, that when he hit high school, he became its concert master. Shortly after graduating, and at just 18 years of age, Ellman opened his own shop where he repaired radios and such. He later became an instrument tech, working with the likes of Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey when they came through Chicago. Ellman played in the Coast Guard Band during WWII and continued to play in local groups well beyond that. Over the years, he shared the stage with such legends as Patti Page, Milton Berle and Ronald Reagan. In 1958, he opened Ellman’s Music Store which remained an area institution up until the time of his passing. Gil Ellman was 84 when he died in his home on April 30, 2010.
On May 7, 2007, Ellman was interviewed as part of the National Association of Music Merchants’ Oral History program. Click here to view a 2 minute segment from his interview.
Thanks to NAMM Historian, Dan Del Fiorentino for the assist.