Description:

Montclair guitarist John Ehlis is drawn to traditional and folk music from around the world and blends the sounds of many cultures into his own unique style. As a multi-instrumentalist, Ehlis learned the mandolin busking on the streets of Denmark, Germany and Italy and has studied various woodwind instruments and percussion, including the Balinese Gamelan. While in Zimbabwe he met local musicians, some who had played with the legendary Thomas Mapfumo and later performed at the Amakhosi Theatre in Bulawayo. He also performs and studies the music of the Basques.

Ehlis has performed throughout the United States, with musicians ranging from the avante-garde jazz of John Tchicai, Perry Robinson and Francis Wong, to Marie Afonso of Zap Mama, the instrument maker Ken Butler, Joe Craven from David Grisman's group, classical guitarist Philip Hii, Slovakian poet Gabriel Ariel Levicky, Basque Musicians Tapia and Leturria and Pakistani singer Fawzia Afzal Khan to name a few.

The John Ehlis Ensemble has two releases on his indie label Sivac Records. He also led the improvisational ensembles Beautiful Cuba and Francis the First. He played with saxophonist Allen Won and percussionist Todd Isler in the Wu Wei Trio, explored new territory with Alfredo Villela, combining pre-Columbian instruments with modern technology and for many years collaborated with San Francisco guitarist David Lofton.

Besides playing with many local singers, songwriters and other creative spirits, Ehlis is a member of the Brasilian and Argentine group, Trio del Barrio, plays original music with pianist Elizabeth Woodbury and is working on new materials with percussionist Glen Fittin.