Over the years, Mike has worked with many other fine guitarists.

Mike has participated in a series of “Great Guitars” shows with a talented and diverse group including the likes of B.B. King, Larry Carlton, Howard Roberts, Pat Martino, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Earl Klugh, Bruce Bolen, Mitch Holder, Eliot Easton, Steve Morse and many more!

Click here for picture

Highlights include several years of sporadic touring with close friend Howard Roberts as a guitar duo sponsored by the Gibson Guitar Company, and a CBS network special with Chet Atkins and Earl Klugh.

Presented here are a few quotes from some of these fine musicians about Mike:

“A fellow musician, and a great one” – Les Paul

“One of the best players on the planet” – Howard Roberts

“Truly a fine player, I really appreciate Mike’s talent” – Chet Atkins

"The best technique of any jazz guitarist I am aware of” – Johnny Smith

ARTICLES:

DIFFUSION —

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Friday, July 22, 1983

Mike Elliott’s “Diffusion” (PR 7139) on the Pausa Records label is a fine session for this eclectic guitarist who works with a great variety of guitars and a body kalimba (a keyboard instrument) to make this mainstream-based jazz come alive in the many stylistic settings he uses.  His “An Eclectic Suite,” a four-movement piece performed by his quintet, is a delight, with lick ranging from straight-ahead to fusionist.  And he plays everything from his own “Saguaro Bend” on flamenco guitar to J.S. Bach’s “Air on a G String” on a classic Gibson with equanimity and relish.

Natural Life “Unnamed Land”  —

Guitar Player, January 1976, Vol. 10 #1

As lead guitarist with a Minnesota-based jazz group, Mike Elliott is fast, fluid, and inventive.  As a soloist, he jumps unabashedly into the audience’s lap.  As rhythmic accompanist, he is discreet and unobtrusive.   Williard O. Peterson’s acoustic bass work provides warm, meandering banks and sudden falls for Elliott’s lead to flow through smoothly or drop over with a bright, memorable splash.  With three soloists, a slight edge for frequency goes to Bobby Peterson’s able acoustic and electric keyboards and Robert Rockwell’s reeds.   Nevertheless, Elliott’s lines – presents without the frills of too much modification are evident a good 20% of the time, and as such are confidently self-assured.  Celebration Records [CB-5005].

Here's a clip from the album "Unnamed Land," a Bobby Peterson composition called "April Fantasy" (mp3 file)

return to top