The Mick Rhodes Band Bios page

[Photo] Link to the Mick Rhodes Band home page.

Meet the Band

These are the people that make it happen.

Mick Rhodes

Mick Rhodes has been a musician all his life.
Given a guitar by his Uncle Don at the age of ten, he immediately began to write songs, a natural instinct that would follow him all his life. When words failed to convey his emotions, music has always been there to translate for him.
Mick’s life has taken him down many divergent paths, and he has had more than his share of life’s experiences. From parking lot attendant, to long distance operator, construction lineman, deputy sheriff, tank commander, broadcast journalist to aerial photographer, he has ricocheted off all of the human pathways that he could find without getting himself killed, maimed, or pilloried in the press.
It is this deep background of life’s experience that bring out his lyrics and bass

lines. All his songs "come from his guts," as he is wont to say. He writes about the people around him - his friends, workmates, and even snitches lyrically on himself with regularity.
His tunes are human. And that is what recommends them.

Jay Lawrence

Celebrated musician Jay Lawrence has enjoyed a diverse career as a performing and recording artist, composer, arranger, clinician, educator and adjudicator. He has been voted the "Best Drummer in Utah" and "Utah’s Favorite Jazz Drummer." Versatile, creative and respected, Lawrence’s vast professional experience began when he joined the Musicians Union (AfofM) at age fifteen and was immediately in demand working as a percussionist for myriad celebrity shows in Reno, Lake Tahoe (and later Las Vegas), including Sammy Davis Jr., Lou Rawls, Della Reese, Liza Minelli, Cher, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Loretta Lynn, Nancy Sinatra, Tom Jones, Ben E. King, Ann-Margret, Linda Ronstadt and many others.
He has presented popular clinics and has adjudicated at the Lionel Hampton, Gene Harris and Park City International Jazz Festivals, and others. Jay has authored texts, including Drum Set Core Curriculum, Introduction to Musical Improvisation and Rhythmic Reading Text.

Jay has numerous sound track credits ranging from movies, trailers, television and jingles to theme parks and Broadway musicals. Jay has recorded over 100 albums including his award winning "Thermal Strut" album with bassist Lynn Seaton, and pianist Tamir Hendelman. (For more information about Jay, visit his webpages at www.jaylawrencedrums.com.)

Rich Dixon

I was born in 1956 and grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut. Actually started guitar lessons at the age of 5 and quit until the age of 9. At this point the Beatles had hit the scene and I was captivated by the sound & electric guitar. It was my good fortune to have some excellent teachers, including Ken Blinko, who introduced me to jazz.
Also studied with Link Chamberland - a world class musician who played regularly in Connecticut and New York with people like Dave Liebman. As often as I could I would watch them play in a club in New York where I was fortunate enough to get in to listen (at no small risk to the club owner since we were underage).
These experiences and excellent instruction from teachers prepared me for my career long before I realized this is what I would do in life.
I also had a lot of experience playing all types of music and gigs - weddings, Bar

Mitzvas, school dances, concerts, night clubs - as well as civic and school theater productions of musicals like "Hello Dolly" and "Camelot."
In 1973 I graduated from high school and came out to B.Y.U. I played in their main jazz ensemble, "Synthesis," as well as several other bands until the end of 1976. I served a mission for the L.D.S. church in Argentina where I was exposed to Argentine Tango and Folklore music.
Upon returning from my mission I attended school then started working for the Osmond family - both on the road and in the studio. I was involved in recording album projects for "Donny and Marie" and the "Osmond Brothers," as well as recording numerous television shows, (including the 9 "Donny and Marie Shows" and others).
Aside from my work with the Osmonds I’ve worked as a Clinician/Product Specialist for DOD/Digitech traveling internationally and throughout the U.S. I have also worked with the Utah Symphony when they’ve been in need of a guitarist.
Over the last 15 years I’ve been heavily involved in music production - producing and composing music for radio, video and television, have done work for clients such as Word Perfect, Novell, Franklin Covey, Sorensen Media, Rotary Club, Foundation for a Better Life, the L.D.S. Church and others.
I was honored to receive the Utah Pearl Awards in 1998, 2001, and 2003 for "Studio Musician of the Year."
Musically my passion is with modern jazz and improvisation - but I enjoy listening to and playing all types of music and have had this opportunity throughout my career.
I have taught as an adjunct faculty member at B.Y.U., U. of U., as well as at Snow College and have given private guitar instruction in my own home. Teaching is one of the things that I enjoy most and hope to be able to help those I work with achieve their fullest potential as my teachers did for me. (For more information about Rich, visit his web pages at Snow College.)

Kelly Eisenhour

Kelly Eisenhour is a prolific jazz vocalist. She has performed in various jazz festivals and has toured as guest soloist with the Boston Pops conducted by Keith Lockhart. She is also a songwriter and arranger, and has done numerous projects in that capacity, including the 2006 Grammy award winning album, Gladys Knight: One Voice,

in which she serves as songwriter, soloist, co-arranger, and assistant choir director.
Kelly has three jazz recordings, "Kelly Eisenhour, Now You Know," and "Kelly Eisenhour with the Jeff Hamilton Trio," soon to be released. Look for the newly released recording "Kelly Eisenhour, Seek and Find featuring Bob Mintzer."
Kelly is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and she is a college vocal jazz clinician and educator. Her career has taken her many places, starting as a jazz singer in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona (working often with another native Tucsonan -Brian Bromberg), and then taking twists and turns through the various music scenes in Boston, Las Vegas, and now in Salt Lake City. Other career highlights: opened for Ramsey Lewis at the Park City Jazz Festival, performed live at the Apollo Theatre, and was an invited performer at the 2007 International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) conference. Kelly is currently obtaining her master's degree in jazz studies, and loves her role not only as a performer, but as a university vocal jazz educator as well.
(For more information about Kelly, visit her website at www.kellyeisenhour.com.)

Dave Compton Dave Compton was destined to march into music. Dave's grandfather played sousaphone for John Phillips Sousa, his parents had lots of music in the house, and "I grew up on a stack of 78s my parents had." Obviously, music has always been a part of Dave's life. Dave's mom bought an old upright piano when he was five and after his record player, it was his first love. It was a fixture in Dave's room until he was fifteen and the family moved to California, and the piano had to stay behind. Craving to play music, Dave decided he wanted to learn to play guitar.
	Dave musically entertained at the Hilton's Room at the Top for 19 years until it changed to the Cabana Club, which he has played for three years. Surprisingly, of the 15 instruments Dave plays, he really has no favorite. "My favorites are what people enjoy hearing the most," said Dave. "Although, I'm developing a love affair with my harmonica – it's my most recent flame." Dave loves to play solos in which he can express himself. He credits the Harmonicats, Henry Mancini, Dave Grisman, Nancy Wilson, and Flim & The B.B.'s for influencing his musical career. Although music is where Dave makes his living, it is so much more to him. It is a means of expression, a way to communicate with others. (For more information about Dave, visit his web page at Enoch Train.)

Greg Floor

Greg is a native to Salt Lake City, Utah and earned his BA in Music from the University of Utah in 1996. In 2002, he graduated from The New England Conservatory in Boston where he received his Master of Music (Jazz Performance) under the instruction of virtuoso tenor saxophonist, Jerry Bergonzi. While in Boston (at NEC), Greg studied with several of the industry’s long time giants (Cecil McBee, Allan Chase, Mulgrew Miller, George Russell, and played lead alto in the Bob Brookmeyer Big Band) while simultaneously performing with the outstanding up-and-coming voices in jazz. In December 2002 Greg was a featured soloist with the Boston Pops under the direction of the legendary John Williams.

Greg’s outstanding jazz performances have delighted jazz enthusiasts literally all over the world. His performances at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, various locations in France, coupled with his cruise ship "around-the-world" voyage, exposed his extraordinary talent to an international audience. In February 2001, Greg was the featured guest soloist with the great Billy Taylor and his trio on Billy Taylor’s "Live at the Kennedy Center" radio program, a performance that was broadcast on National Public Radio.
Greg has two solo CD’s with his group "The Greg Floor Quintet." The first, "The Grand Inquisitor" (1997, Four Floors Productions), features Los Angeles pianist Tom Garvin, debut’s Greg’s talent in composition, and has received national airplay. The most recent recording, "Uphill…Both Ways" (2002, Four Floors Productions) received great reviews. Both recordings feature Greg’s synthesis of his ethnic Greek heritage with traditional jazz resulting in an exciting fusion similar to that of Latin Jazz. Greg is currently working on his third solo CD which he hopes to release at this year’s festival. Greg is included on several other recordings as a guest soloist or sideman.
Greg works often with the Utah Symphony and the Boston Pops,

performs yearly at the Teton Village Music Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a regularly featured soloist with the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra, and was spotlighted with his quintet at the Park City International Jazz Festival. He has backed many jazz artists and entertainers to include Nancy Wilson, Phil Woods, Eddie Daniels, Maureen McGovern, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, The Four Tops, Ray Brown, and many more.
Greg directed the University of Utah Jazz Ensemble #1 in 1999 and enjoys teaching privately on the side. He teaches jazz theory and improvisation lessons for all instruments and combines clinics with his concerts when performing at high schools and colleges. (For more information about Greg, visit his web pages at Snow College.)

Scott Wilson

Scott Wilson is the founder of the on-line Jazz Education Store and is the current Director of Jazz Studies at Snow College. Wilson is an alumnus of the world renowned University of North Texas where he taught courses in jazz theory and composed for & performed in the international acclaimed One O'Clock Lab Band.
Scott Wilson's jazz theory text books and jazz flash cards have been used by the International Association of Jazz Educators for their national jazz education clinics. Wilson has diverse international performance credits and has performed and cliniced in 13 countries including living as a performer & composer in China and Japan.
In the summer of 2005 Wilson was hired as the Musical Director for Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan and has been a featured jazz trumpet soloist for Walt Disney World in Tokyo, Japan. Wilson has likewise been a trumpet

performer, jazz clinician, and music consultant for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and has performed for Universal Studios in Orlando, Carnival Cruise Lines, independent films, videos, etc.
Scott Wilson currently keeps an active international performance schedule and is in demand as a consultant and clinician in the international performance arena. Wilson has performed and worked with numerous jazz artist including Wayne Bergeron, Conrad Herwig, Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, Bobby Shew, Slide Hampton, Sam Rivers, Dick Oats, Lew Soloff, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Marcus, Andy Fusco, Baron Browne, Mark Soskin, Jeff Coffin, Dan Haerle, Neil Slater, Marvin Stamm, Fred Hamilton, and Horace Silver to name a few. Scott Wilson is the author and designer of the on-line Jazz Education Store at www.jazz-studies.com. (For more information about Scott, visit his web pages at Snow College.)

Curtis Woodbury

A graduate of Skyline high school in Salt Lake City, Curtis is a musical prodigy, and a stand out artist who plays fiddle and saxophone with consumate skill. He is a featured soloist with "Synthesis" at BYU, and has been featured with Jazz artists Kelly Eisenhour, Kenji Aihara, and Jay Lawrence in the Northern Utah area. Curtis has perfect pitch, though we won't hold this against him.

[Photo] Curtis performs in the recording studio.