"The illustrious career of Pee Wee Ellis has covered a lot of territory both geographical and musical from the circus to The James Brawn Show, from Brother Jack McDuffto Little Esther Phillips, from the JB Horns to Van Morrison. Pee Wee has left his influence where ever he has performed, composed and arranged from Texas to New York, from Florida to London, his musical footprints have blazed new paths for the musicians of the world to follow I have been fortunate to personally accompany him on many of his journeys giving me both first-hand knowledge of same of his innovative theories and credibility with other great musicians. The fact that I know Pee Wee Ellis has opened a lot of doors for me.

I first met Pee Wee when I joined the James Brown band in 1968. I was anxious to meet the man who did the arranging far the controversial "Cold Sweat': a recording that I credit with changing the sound and form of musk from what it was before to what it is now. Although I found him thoroughly versed in traditional music theory, he was also open-minded enough to organize, develop and embellish the unorthodox and erratic ideas of James Brawn into musical masterpieces that have influenced all music until today. His skill at making music out of JB's grunts and screams is equaled by his ability to take already good music to new creative levels as evident in this latest venture with the NDR Bigband

It is no surprise that the road has led Pee Wee to perform with one of the best big bands in the world.

I, as did every musician who participated on this project, came away musically enriched and aesthetically refreshed. I especially benefited by seizing the opportunity to continue my education with an old teacher and to further bond an old and special friendship."