Born in Baltimore, Maryland,[1] Ewell played with Bill Reinhardt's Jazz, Ltd. band in Chicago in 1947, 1948, and 1949.

[1] After Teagarden died, Ewell toured Europe, then returned to New Orleans and performed in clubs and hotels.

From 1976 to 1978, he concertized and suffered from alcoholism while living with his friend King Denton, the manager of a jazz club where Ewell was Artist-in-residence.

After his daughter's death from cancer and after suffering two strokes, Ewell died on August 9, 1983, aged 66, in Pompano Beach, Florida.

[3] With Barbara Dane With Doc Evans With Bunk Johnson With Jack Teagarden This article on an American jazz pianist is a stub.