Guitarist Mike Elliott Dies at Age 65
deb...@comcast.net
by Pat Courtemanche , Jazz Police
Mike Elliott, a versatile and highly accomplished guitarist revered for
his work in jazz and country music, passed away at his home in St.
Paul, Minnesota on September 14, 2005 at the age of 65. Elliott had
been seriously ill since suffering a heart attack in January 2005.
Born May 18, 1940 in Chicago, Mike studied guitar as a teenager in
Colorado under the legendary Johnny Smith. His long career included
extended periods in the Twin Cities, where he played and recorded with
the influential jazz group Natural Life, and Nashville, where he was a
studio musician, producer/engineer and songwriter on hit country
recordings. During his Nashville years (1982 - 1997) his many
accomplishments included serving as music director for the great
Nashville producer Jack Clement, contributing a song to John Anderson's
triple platinum album "Seminole Wind, " working on staff for Gibson
Guitars and writing instructional jazz books for the Hal Leonard
publishing company. As a jazz guitarist, renowned critic Leonard
Feather considered Mike to be one of the very best. His versatility on
guitar led to performances with the Toronto Symphony, road work with
Victor Borge, recordings with stars like Johnny Cash and much more. A
devoted and brilliant educator, Mike presented guitar clinics with
people like Les Paul and taught countless students from beginners to
Bela Fleck.
Although Mike had some health insurance, he had spent most of 2005 in
the hospital and his family is left with staggering medical bills and
other expenses. Donations to help cover expenses can be sent to The
Elliott Family, P.O. Box 211256, Eagan, MN 55121-9998. A benefit and
celebration of Mike Elliott's life will be held on Sunday, October 16
starting at 3:00 p.m. at the Artists' Quarter, 408 St. Peter St. in
downtown St. Paul.
"There was only one Mike, and I'm so fortunate to have had him in my
life, " said Francena Elliott, Mike's wife. "I loved him
completely. Mike was very soft spoken, but he made a huge impression on
everyone who met him. Even though he accomplished so much, Mike was
incredibly humble and kind. I adored him and will miss him terribly."
Standing six foot seven inches tall, Mike's gentle nature and sharp wit
were all the more striking.
Pat Martino, the Philadelphia-based guitar great and Blue Note
recording artist, was a long-time friend of Mike Elliott. In recent
years, Mike helped make the introductions that brought Mr. Martino to
McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul to work with guitar
students. "It struck me that Mike was very much a father figure to
the students, and truly embraced by them, " says Martino. "Few
individuals are blessed with the ability to transcend their gifts as an
artist and a musician and become an intermediary to learning for all
around them. Mike was one of those rare individuals. He made the
learning environment very comfortable for everyone, including me."
The Life of Mike Elliott. Mike Elliott was born into a musical family
in Chicago on May 18, 1940. His father was a studio musician and his
mother was a blues singer. Mike picked up the guitar at an early age,
and was playing professionally by the age of 16 in Colorado Springs,
CO, where his family had moved. It was also in Colorado that Mike began
studying guitar with his mentor Johnny Smith, one of the most
influential guitarists in jazz history. Mike became a business partner
in the music store that Smith had opened and began teaching guitar
himself. Elliott formed his own jazz group around this time and went
out on the road in 1964.
In 1966, Mike moved to Minneapolis and by the early 1970s he had
co-founded the seminal jazz fusion group Natural Life, whose membership
included Bob Rockwell on sax, Billy Peterson on bass, Bobby Peterson on
piano and drummers Bill Berg and Eric Kamau Gravatt. The group recorded
multiple albums and shared the stage with the likes of Charles Mingus
and McCoy Tyner. Mike remained in the Twin Cities through 1981, during
which time he performed with many high-profile outfits, including the
Minnesota Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony (as featured soloist). He
also was a busy session musician for albums and TV and radio
commercials and taught private lessons and master classes at several
universities. From 1978 to 1981, Mike was a clinician with the Gibson
Guitar company, traveling the world conducting clinics.
In 1982, Mike moved to Nashville, TN, to become manager of Gibson
Professional Musical Services. There, he held clinics with folks like
Les Paul, Howard Roberts and Elliot Easton. Mike's other pursuits in
Nashville included teaching, session work, engineering, producing,
arranging and songwriting. Remaining in Nashville until 1998, Mike
worked with notables such as Trisha Yearwood, Chubby Checker, Emmylou
Harris and Joe Diffie. John Anderson's 1992 release "Seminole Wind,
" which became a triple-platinum seller, included a song co-written
by Elliott. In 1996, Mike received the prestigious NAIRD Award for his
work as an engineer on Steve Earle's Grammy-nominated album "Train A
Comin'." In Nashville, Mike also founded Magic Tracks recording
studio, served as president of Celebration Records and was the music
director for legendary producer Jack Clement. As a guitarist,
executive, songwriter, engineer and producer, Mike excelled in
virtually every aspect of the competitive Nashville music scene. In his
"spare time, " Mike wrote training, technical and owners' manuals
for Gibson and authored two successful method books for Hal Leonard -
"Expanding Jazz Harmonies" and "Contemporary Chord Solos."
Mike Elliott returned to the Twin Cities in 1998, continuing his work
as an educator, live performer, recording artist and engineer. That
year he joined the faculty of McNally Smith College of Music (formerly
Musictech). Mike could be seen playing at the Artists' Quarter with
friends like pianist Adi Yeshaya, bassist Gordy Johnson, drummers Gordy
Knudtson and Kenny Horst, and the Petersons (Ricky, Billy and Bobby).
Mike was also called upon by vocalists like Cookie Coleman and Joanie
Knudtson to add his magic touch.
In addition to his recordings with Natural Life and countless sessions,
Mike released seven albums of his own, including the highly acclaimed
"The Art of the Solo Guitar" and Mike's personal favorite "Home
Cookin'" (2002). A devoted educator, Mike's many accolades included a
"Distinguished Service" award from the Minnesota Music Educators
Association in 1999. Although press-shy, Mike was the subject of many
glowing articles and reviews in publications like "Guitar Player, "
"Minneapolis Star Tribune" and "The Cleveland Plain Dealer."
Mike was greatly influenced by his mentor Johnny Smith, as well as his
friend and contemporary Pat Martino and songwriter/producer and
life-long friend Joe Allen. The list of people Mike worked with is
seemingly endless, including luminaries with whom he shared respect and
friendship like Ramsey Lewis, Chet Atkins, Ray Charles, B.B. King,
Johnny Cash and so many more.
Not only versatile on guitar, Mike Elliott was a Mensa member, a lover
of boats and the owner of several exotic cars. An avid golfer, Mike had
an incredible six hole-in-ones. He was deeply loved by family, friends
and fans - known for his warmth, humility, honesty and kindness.