Musicians

It is a sad fact of life that in any musical group way leads on to way, and personnel changes will be inevitable. Here is a list of those who have played with us, joined with us in adventures of traveling, setting up gear, dealing with problems and performing; they also joined us in emotional journey of making music together, creating out of strings and breath an invisible vessel for the moving of souls. All of them made and/or are still making significant contributions to the group. We are honored to have shared the stages with them The list is chronological.


Jeff Whiteley, guitar and vocals, graduated with a degree in French and flew to Paris to harangue street crowds in their own language. His early evolution was in rock & roll bands but he was forced to step up to more serious music when Lori Decker frequently asked, (referring to songs he was trying out on her) 'is that all it's going to do? Uh, when will the chords do something else'?


Lori Decker, mandolin vocals and tin whistle, she hesitated between a degree in vocal performance and a career in medicine. She ended up with both. She is PA in cardio-vascular surgery and the main vocalist with Lark & Spur.


Chris Taylor, guitar/vocals, brought us a youthful energy and charisma, he sharpened the spur aspect of the act and gave us a strong vocal baritone we could pile harmonies upon.


Greg Petersen, bass, showed us what arco technique could do underneath the necessarily percussive sound of the guitars. He was steady, reliable and he was able to make sense of our pre-Finale charts, something few were able to do. As Chris said, 'If Greg is playing bass, we know it'll be a good night.'


Evan Coombs, bass, brings excellent technique as well as a masters degree in classical and jazz performance, mechanical engineering prowess and sardonic humor. His resourceful talents got us through the last European tour and kept vans rolling and the equipment working. A true professional and indispensable friend who insists in performance and gear on nothing but the best. Another one who could pick his way through the tangle of the early charts and make a song click.


Ray Smith, woodwinds, an incomparable musician. Every note he plays dances in the air and quickens time. Head of the jazz department at Brigham Young University and master of many instruments and styles.


Gawain Mathews, guitar and vocals, his sense of counter melody and improvisation expanded our arrangements and our expectations well beyond their original borders. He respected different musical styles for what they were, and did not disparage folk songs for what they were not. Thank you Gawain and come back soon.


Ryun Louie, drummer, performed with Ballet West and with the Utah Symphony. He was the drummer we spent a long time looking for, someone sensitive enough to figure out how drums could be added to a group that had played so long without them as to develop a consistently rubato heart beat.


Greg Floor, woodwinds, one of SLC's finest musicians, his solos remind one of someone speaking eloquently in a language that has left words behind in favor of feeling. He has played with some of the biggest names in the business.


Matt Larson, bass, a soft spoken expert on solid foundations.


Josh Payne, guitar, whom we met in Europe in 1996. A true artist and craftsman and member of the fraternal order of street musicians, (New York Subway chapter). He has replaced Gawain who moved to Colorado. Josh is bringing his own unique touch and vision to the group.

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