Hortense Mahalia Ellis, the younger sister of reggae superstar Alton Ellis, was born 18th April 1941 in Trench Town, Jamaica.  Her father worked on the railways while her mother ran a fruit stall.

Hortense was just 18 years old when she made her first appearance on Vere Johns Opportunity Hour - then Jamaica's foremost showcase for young undiscovered talent.  Her version of Frankie Lymon's "I'm Not Saying No At All" so impressed both audience and panel, she was invited back the following week.  Hortense went on to enter many other talent competitions and showcases; managing to reach six semi-finals and four finals.

                                                        These three early Hortense pictures kindly provided by Mr. Dudley "Manzie" Swaby                                                              

Hortense's earliest recordings include "Eddie My Love" in 1961 for producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and "Midnight" in 1962 for Duke Reid swiftly followed by "I'll Come Softly" and "I Am In Love" (both of which are among my most treasured possessions).  It was around this time that Hortense was also recording duets with her brother Alton.  Although Hortense remained primarily a solo performer, she recorded many duets over the years with stars such as Derrick Morgan, Jackie Edwards, Stranger Cole along with Jackie Opel.

By the late sixties, Hortense had acquired extensive experience both in live performance and also in the studio.  She toured Jamaica with Byron Lee and The Dragonaires and was recording with some of the island's top producers.  Among these were Ken Lack ("I Shall Sing" and "Hell And Sorrow"), Coxsone Dodd ("Twelve Minutes To Go" and "I'll Come Softly") and also the great Duke Reid.

Clement "Coxsone" Dodd was, of course, the genius behind the Studio One record label - described by Marcia Griffiths in the television documentary "Stir It Up" as Jamaica's Motown.  The street, Brentford Road, on which Dodd's studio was sited has recently been renamed Studio One Boulevard in his memory.  In the early days, Alton Ellis was also recording for Dodd who cleverly exploited the family connection by producing "female" adaptions of some of Alton's hits for Hortense to record.  One example "I'm Just A Guy" recorded by Alton became "I'm Just A Girl" some years later for Hortense.

Alton and Hortense toured Canada in 1970, but the following year Hortense was back in Jamaica.  She married Mikey Saunders with whom she had five children in quick succession.  Although her live performances suffered as a result, Hortense remained busy in the studio.  Recording as Mahalia Saunders for Lee "Scratch" Perry, she cut several sides including "Right On The Tip Of My Tongue" and "Piece Of My Heart".

Hortense's biggest success came in the late seventies with a song recorded for Augustus "Gussie" Clarke.  "Unexpected Places" became popular all over the world.  In my humble opinion, Hortense well deserved the same UK Top 40 success enjoyed by Dawn Penn and Ken Boothe.  However, Hortense never managed to "cross over" in this way.

For producer Bunny "Striker" Lee, Hortense became Queen Tiney for her "Down Town Ting" - an answer record to Althea & Donna's "Up Town Top Ranking" which had itself been sung over Alton's "I'm Still In Love With You" rhythm.

It was in the seventies Hortense recut many of her Studio One sides with other producers - "Secretly" for Dudley "Manzie" Swaby and "Sitting In The Park" for Martin Williams.  In addition, she was also recording with Soul Syndicate and the up and coming team of Sly & Robbie.

The rise of the Lovers Rock genre in the late seventies and early eighties resulted in Hortense cutting cover versions of several popular soul classics such as "Down The Aisle" (Patti Labelle) and "Young Hearts Run Free" (Candi Staton).

Following her divorce from Mikey Saunders, Hortense spent much of the eighties living in Brooklyn NY and Miami.  On her return to Jamaica in 1989, Hortense began suffering ill health.  Despite often being in considerable pain, she somehow managed to continue with local live performances.  Performing - especially for a local crowd - was something Hortense enjoyed immensely.  She lived for her children as a devoted loving mother and for her music as a talented dedicated performer.

Following a private visit to New York in the summer of 1999 - the last time I would see my Hortense alive - she went to Miami where ill health finally caught up with her.  Instead of seeking immediate treatment, she insisted on struggling home to her beloved Jamaica where she was immediately hospitalised.

Hortense died peacefully in her sleep, aged just 59, in Kingston Public Hospital on 19th October 2000.  She left nine children, 26 grandchildren  and two great-grandchildren.

Her funeral took place at Andrews Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hope Road, Kingston on 9th November.

 Family and friends at Hortense's funeral

HORTENSE ELLIS ON MYSPACE

The Hortense Ellis MySpace has now been divided into two separate pages.  The original HORTENSE ELLIS page at www.myspace.com/hortenseellis

features a bio and discography and blogs,  while the new HORTENSE ELLIS MUSIC page at www.myspace.com/hortenseellismusic features videos and music.

There is also a Memorial page on MySpace for both Alton and Hortense and this can be found at http://myspace.com/altonhortenseellis