Ellington, mercedes 1939–

Mercedes Ellington, Director/Choreographer, Producer, Performer, and Family Historian.

At a Glance …. Mercedes Ellington, modern-day dance pioneer, gained international attention in as the first black member of the June Taylor Dancers, a trend-setting accomplishment in the entertainment industry. She has been a dancer and choreographer in Broadway productions and was featured dancer and choreographer of the hit show Sophisticated Ladies.

As dancer, choreographer, and teacher, she has contributed significantly to artistry in the entertainment world. The United States has had few notable three-generation families in the performing arts. The Ellington family is one of them. Mercedes Ellington is the daughter of Mercer Ellington, well-known musician, arranger, and band leader.

Mercedes Ellington was born in to Ruth V. Silas Ellington and Mercer Ellington, who were divorced within a year of her birth. Ellington inherited her artistic talents from both sides of her family.

Dancer and choreographer Mercedes ellington was born on February 9, in new York City to ruth silas Batts and trumpet player and conductor Mercer ellington, son of renowned composer .

She recalled how her mother, as a teenager, organized a club of her peers devoted to exhibition ballroom dancing for local social events. After her divorce, Ruth Silas married James A. Batts, a prominent Philadelphia obstetrician and gynecologist; Ruth Batts still resides in Philadelphia. Ellington entered nursery school when she was eighteen months old and began dance lessons shortly thereafter to correct a circulatory problem.

In no time she was performing in dancing and singing recitals. Ellington later found out that her grandmother battled the Catholic school authorities because the real reason was racial prejudice.