Hortense Mahalia Ellis was born 18th April 1941 in Trench Town, Jamaica, the younger sister of the late reggae superstar Alton Ellis. Her first break came in 1960 by appearing on Vere John's Opportunity Hour - and being repeatedly invited back. In the early 60's Hortense toured Jamaica with Byron Lee & The Dragonaires while honing her skills in the studio with producers such as Ken Lack and Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. Around this time she was also recording duets with male artists such as Derrick Morgan and her brother Alton Ellis.