Brian Elliot was born into a musical household and began a career in music when he taught himself to play the piano by ear at the age of 5. Soon though, he realized the limitations of that style and began to actually play with his fingers.
He was drawn to the music of Fats Domino, Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis as well as the funky jazz of Horace Silver and Art Blakey and he learned to play and sing many of their songs by the time he was 12.
Early on, it was this love of rhythm and blues and jazz that caused a terrible conflict with his strict Catholic school upbringing....but when it came to a choice between the "devil’s music" and religion, it was no contest. He began to promote his own shows and dances while still in high school and was playing in clubs and after-hours joints while still in his teens. As the nuns and priests had predicted, he was cruising the fast lane on the road to ruin. Still, he was able to resist the sordid temptations with clean living and constant prayer.
Along the way, Brian gravitated to the piano styles of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and Fats Waller...He also began to love the classic tunes of the Great American Songbook...Giants like Cole Porter, Gershwin, Arlen and Mercer, Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. He has a large repertoire of those vintage melodies that "transcend time" and plays them with the emphasis on swing, and being true to the character of the music.
Brian Elliot has played and recorded with many great names in music. As a songwriter, his compositions have sold over 40 million records and CD's and been featured in numerous films and television productions! He has entertained film stars, heads of industry, and many of his peers in the entertainment business.
At Jax Bar & Grill, Brian delights in playing requests and moves easily in the various styles of American music...Standards, Pop Hits, Blues and Jazz. It's not unusual for many of the patrons to dance and sing along when he plays their favorites.
Brian is currently also recording a collection of his own new songs.