Ellen May Shashoyan is a songwriter and vocalist known for her adaptation of Horace Silver's jazz standard "Song for My Father." Although her lyrical version of the song became notable, she did not record it until 1980, despite its earlier rendition by avant-garde jazz vocalist Leon Thomas on his 1969 debut album "Spirits Known and Unknown." Shashoyan's version was eventually released in 1989 on New Ark Records. She contributed vocals, piano, and finger cymbals to the track, which also featured prominent musicians such as Reggie Workman on bass and Harold Vick on tenor saxophone. Shashoyan's work in jazz is characterized by her ability to blend lyrical content with established jazz compositions, offering a fresh perspective on classic instrumental pieces.