John Ellis is one of jazz music's youngest rising stars. Currently, the saxophonist and reedsman in Charlie Hunter's widely celebrated trio, Ellis' compositions have become a staple of Hunter's albums and live sets. With his own group, Ellis combines his affinity for New Orleans' music (a city that he considers a second home) with the edge and urgency of modern jazz in New York City (his current home). With a full length HYENA release entitled, One Foot In The Swamp, coming in February 2005, Ellis and HYENA offer a limited edition EP version of One Foot In The Swamp that includes five studio tracks and two »live« tracks that you won't find anywhere else. Only 1000 copies have been pressed and they're going fast. Cuts like »Happy« and »One For The Kelpers« make clear that Ellis is on the verge of worldwide acclaim. Special guests include John Scofield and Nicholas Payton.