[1][2] A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Ellis came to prominence in the 1990s as a member of guitarist Charlie Hunter's band.
Ellis has since been known for his work with Bob Weir after the breakup of the Grateful Dead[3] and with flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny.
His State of Mind album (2003), is his second recording produced by Orrin Keepnews and won a 2004 award for Outstanding Album from the California Music Awards.
[5] Dave and his sister, Zoe Ellis, have collaborated as an act called ZADELL.
[6] As a solo artist With Black Crowes With Charlie Hunter With Dmitri Matheny With The Other Ones With Bob Weir and RatDog