Representative Albums: "Blues for the Red Boy: Early Sensation Recordings," "1950-1951," "1947-1949"
Biography
Todd Rhodes' career can be easily divided into two parts. He studied early on at the Springfield School of Music (1915-17) and the Erie Conservatory (1919-21), not only as a pianist but as a writer. Rhodes was the pianist and one of the main arrangers for McKinney's Cotton Pickers from 1922-32 and 1933-34, appearing on most of the band's most important recordings. After leaving The Cotton Pickers, Rhodes settled in Detroit, playing locally for years. By 1946 he had switched to R&B and recorded extensively as a leader from 1947-54 (mostly for King) plus as a sideman on dates by Dave Bartholomew and Wynonie Harris. After his R&B period ended, Rhodes slipped back into obscurity but he had made his mark on music history twice. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
