George Rhodes (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Rhodes
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Sammy Davis Jr. and Rhodes
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| Background information | |
| Born | October 10, 1918 Indiana |
| Died | December 25, 1985 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | Jazz, blues, traditional pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, arranger, conductor, music director |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1944–1985 |
| Labels | Apollo, RCA Victor, Groove, King |
| Associated acts | Sammy Davis Jr., Jonah Jones |
George Arthur Rhodes (born October 10, 1918 – died December 25, 1985) was an American musician. He was a talented arranger, conductor, music director, pianist, and composer. George Rhodes is best known for working with the famous entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. for many years. He was Davis's main music director, arranger, and conductor.
Rhodes made history as a Black music director. He was the first to work for a major TV network, NBC, in 1966. This was for The Sammy Davis Jr. Show. He was also the first Black music director for a Las Vegas showroom. This happened at the Tropicana Hotel in 1973. George Rhodes started as a temporary pianist for Sammy Davis Jr. in 1955. He soon became his main arranger and conductor. He worked on Davis's live shows, TV specials, musicals, and albums.
Contents
Life Story of George Rhodes
Early Years and Musical Start
George Arthur Rhodes was born in Indiana on October 10, 1918. His parents were Margaret and James Rhodes. Later, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, which many people considered his hometown.
George Rhodes began his music career in Chicago in 1944. He played piano for the blues singer Lil Green. He also played piano for other Black artists. These included jazz musicians like Red Allen, J. C. Higginbotham, and Arnett Cobb. While playing in Arnett Cobb's band, Rhodes moved to New York. There, he studied piano at the Juilliard School, a famous music school.
In the 1950s, while in New York, he started arranging music for record labels. He worked for Apollo Records from 1950 to 1952. Then he worked for RCA Victor from 1954 to 1955. He also worked for King Records from 1955 to 1956. Rhodes also kept playing piano with jazz musicians, such as Jonah Jones.
Working with Sammy Davis Jr.
In 1955, Sammy Davis Jr. was in New York. He was starring in the musical Mr. Wonderful. Davis hired George Rhodes as a pianist for his variety act, the Will Mastin Trio. At first, another musician named Morty Stevens led the band.
As Stevens became more successful, Rhodes took on more responsibility. He eventually became the main arranger and conductor. He replaced Stevens when Stevens left to work for CBS. George Rhodes worked with Sammy Davis Jr. for 30 years, until his death in 1985. They had a strong professional relationship. They also became very close friends for the rest of their lives.
In the 1960s, Rhodes became the music director for many of Sammy Davis Jr.'s projects. In 1965, he returned to Broadway with Davis. He was the conductor for the musical Golden Boy. Sammy Davis Jr. was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in this show.
Rhodes made history in 1966. He became the first Black music director to work for a major television network. He was the conductor and arranger for The Sammy Davis Jr. Show on NBC. That same year, he was also the music director for a TV special. It was called "The Swinging World of Sammy Davis Jr." This special was nominated for an Emmy Award.
In 1972, George Rhodes and his band went with Sammy Davis Jr. to Vietnam. They performed in USO shows for American soldiers. Other performers included Lynn Kellogg and Ted Barret.
Rhodes broke barriers again in 1973. He became the first Black music director of a Las Vegas showroom. He was hired by the Tropicana Hotel. This happened because Sammy Davis Jr. became a director at the hotel. Davis was the first Black director of a Las Vegas casino. He also performed there.
In 1978, Rhodes was supposed to conduct the orchestra for Davis's return to Broadway. This was for the musical Stop the World - I Want to Get Off. However, he was briefly replaced during rehearsals. Sammy Davis Jr. insisted that Rhodes be brought back. He said, "I told them I couldn't perform. It's like losing my family." The show's team had to re-hire Rhodes as conductor and music director.
Family and Friendship
In 1958, George Rhodes married Shirley Anne Vest. Shirley later became a manager for Sammy Davis Jr.. They were married until George's death in 1985. Shirley described him as "a good, kind, gentle man." They had five children together: George Jr., Shirley, Andrea, Gregory, and Eygie.
George Rhodes and Sammy Davis Jr. had a very strong friendship. Davis often called Rhodes "family." When Rhodes passed away, Davis said, "He was my brother on and off the stage, and no one can ever replace him in either area of my life."
His Passing
George Rhodes passed away at age 67. He died from a heart attack in his sleep. This happened at his home in Los Angeles on December 25, 1985. Shirley, his wife, said he had not been sick. The doctor who confirmed his death said he "had no pain."
Music Recordings
Here are some of the albums George Rhodes worked on:
As the main artist
- Real George (Groove, 1956)
- Porgy and Bess (AAMCO, 1959)
- Rock, Rock, Rock (AAMCO, 1959)
As a supporting musician
- Arnett Cobb, Arnett Blows for 1300 (Delmark, 1994)
- Jonah Jones, Jonah Jones at the Embers (Groove, 1956)
- Jonah Jones, Muted Jazz (Capitol, 1957)
- Sammy Davis Jr., I Gotta Right to Swing (Brunswick, 1960)
- Sammy Davis Jr., That's All! (Reprise, 1967)
