Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Elliott Caine began playing trumpet when he was 11 years old and continued playing in middle and high school bands. While studying at Indiana University, Elliott found albums by Clifford Brown and Miles Davis ("Birth of The Cool" and "'Round About Midnight") - igniting his passion for jazz. Local player Larry Wiseman became a mentor to Elliott during his college years, and later, Elliott studied with David Baker. After moving to Los Angeles in 1976 Elliott progressed by playing in a number of Latin and Salsa bands, and by studying piano/jazz with George Lewis and trumpet with Nolan Shaheed, Robert Rithaler, Roy Wiegand & Rene Lamart. From 1990-1999 Elliott played with renowned Latin-Ska group, Jump With Joey, completing several U.S. tours, three tours of Japan, making numerous recordings and performing for Capitol Records' 50th anniversary party celebration. Elliott began his first group as leader in 1995 and has since recorded four albums. The latest one Hippie Chicks On Acid/Live at Alvas features his core players Carl Randall (Freddie Hubbard & Gerald Wilson), Kenny Elliott (Benny Maupin, Chico Freeman & Lou Rawls) and Bill Markus (Billy Higgins & Roy Hargrove). Over the years, Elliott has performed or worked sessions with Teddy Edwards, Ernie Andrews, O.C. Smith, Wyclef Jean, Beck, The Beastie Boys, The Machito Orchestra, Rudy Calzado (songs recorded by Celia Cruz), Bobby Matos, Johnny Martinez, Tierra, The Solsonics, Jack Kevorkian, El Vez, legendary jazz drummer Larance Marable and comedian/singer Joey Cheezhee, and has received a platinum record for his session work with the rock group Filter. Additionally, many of Elliott's original compositions have been used for film and television, including Oprah, Late Night with David Letterman, The Food Network, etc.