Kelley, Ellis and Flynn

Up and coming band Kelley, Ellis and Flynn is a new collaboration of veteran musicians playing soulful, rocking blues. They are known for their creative interpretations of blues, blues rock and R&B classics and originals, instrumental virtuosity, dynamic vocals and energetic performances.  They often play with an additional keyboardist.

Kelley, Ellis and Flynn emerged in 2016-2017 from the burgeoning blues jam scene in Northern New Jersey, where Kevin, Tony and Jim met and played with each other in various combinations at venues such as The Stanhope House, Robin’s Nest Rhythm and Blues, The Blue Moon, Hat City and Suzy Que’s. 

Tony C. Ellis, bass and vocals

Tony has been playing since the 60’s.  He’s toured with many British bands and worked with various members of so-called British Invasion bands such as The Searchers, The Kinks, The Zombies, and Argent. Tony was a long-time member of Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages, whose members over the years included Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Jeff Beck, Noel Redding, Jon Lord, Matthew Fisher, Ian Hunter, Adrian Gurvitz, actor Paul Nicholas, and Nicky Hopkins.  Tony worked with guitarist Mark Knopfler for 18 months.  He toured extensively throughout The UK and Europe and toured Scandinavia with The Wild Angels, England’s first motorcycle band.

In the U.S., Tony toured and recorded album with Delta blues artist Mississippi John L Watson and toured with Nashville country singer Billie Joe Spears. He lived in Los Angeles for two years gigging and recording with own band and various local musicians.  Tony now lives in Mendham, New Jersey.

Jim “JAMO” Flynn, drums and vocals

Jim "JAMO" Flynn has been playing drums for his whole life.  In 1971 he joined the country rock band Bittersweet and played on their 1971 album High in the Wild. The band had a successful run on the 70’s Jersey rock scene.  Jim went on to do a host of studio recording sessions and wrote numerous commercials, jingles, and radio music spots for corporate clients. Later on Jim played many one-nighters with jazz great Harry Leahey, Jim Long and others.  He joined Breakfast of Champions and traveled the East coast club scene for a number of years.  After Breakfast, Jim went on the road as a hired professional, touring through 37 states recording and playing with a multitude of touring acts. Currently Jim does work for a number of local recording studios and has performed live with BB and The Stingers, Johnny Charles, Big Daddy and the Wildcats, Can't Stop Now, The Blues Brotherhood, Plainfield Slim, the Tracy Lee Band, and others.  Jim is also one of the area's best drum instructors.  He lives in Asbury, New Jersey.

Kevin Kelley, guitar, vocals and keys

Kevin is a refugee of the 1980’s club scene in New Jersey, when he played in a number of southern-rock bands such as Deal and Calico.  But in the mid-80’s Kevin left the music scene mostly behind and began a long career with a major insurer, concluding with a number of years helping design and manage large websites.  During that time, Kevin played and recorded with several bands such as Tom Spingler and Northfield, W.K. Keller and others, and played several shows with Jim Yester of The Association.  In recent years, Kevin returned to his blues roots, becoming a fixture at a number of blues clubs where he met Tony and Jim, and formed Kelley, Ellis and Flynn.  Kevin lives in Chatham, New Jersey.