William Ellis is at the vanguard of music photographers and is widely recognised as having created an important document of the contemporary jazz scene in Africa, Europe, and The Americas.

His contribution to the culture was recognised by the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City when he was invited to produce the Inaugural International Exhibition in 2005, and where he returned in 2008 to present his work in the 'Jazz in Black and White: Bebop and Beyond' exhibit.

William's work has been exhibited at international festivals and galleries in the U.K. and throughout the world.

His images have been used in the JAM (Jazz Appreciation Month) Outreach program in the United States initiated by the Smithsonian Institution and many of his pictures are in private collections worldwide - including those of the musicians with whom he has worked.